Congress Faces Lame-Duck Scramble Before Dec. 11
With eight weeks left in the Republican-controlled 119th Congress, lawmakers must extend government funding and address a stalled defense and infrastructure agenda.
Updated on Nov. 8, 2026 in Legislative Policy
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The Republican-controlled 119th Congress has eight weeks left in session with a heavy backlog, including a Dec. 11 government funding deadline. Democrats won the midterm elections and will control both chambers next year, complicating negotiations.
Why it matters
Congress has passed none of the 12 fiscal year 2027 appropriations bills, which began Oct. 1, and Senate Democrats have withheld votes unless Republicans agree to certain policy demands. The outcome will shape federal spending, defense policy and transportation funding across the United States.
Congress must act by Dec. 11 to extend funding, with none of the 12 fiscal year 2027 appropriations bills enacted so far. Whether Senate Democrats will supply votes for a stopgap measure remains unresolved.
The players
Rep. Clyde
A House Republican who cited the roughly 20 legislative days remaining in the session.
Pete Hegseth
The U.S. Secretary of Defense, whose potential impeachment is scheduled for a House vote.
The details
Lawmakers face a crowded lame-duck session as Democrats prepare to take control of both chambers. Defense spending, the BUILD America 250 Act and a House vote on impeaching Pete Hegseth are among the pending items.
Timeline
Oct. 1: Fiscal year 2027 began without enacted appropriations.
May: The BUILD America 250 Act cleared House committee.
As soon as Monday: House scheduled vote on impeaching Pete Hegseth.
Dec. 11: Government funding deadline under the continuing resolution.
Legislative Context
Congress has passed the National Defense Authorization Act annually since 1961, and the current House and Senate versions near $1.15 trillion show that defense spending remains a recurring flashpoint. The shift to Democratic control adds new uncertainty to a process that has long relied on bipartisan compromise.
If Congress misses the Dec. 11 deadline without another stopgap, federal agencies could face funding lapses. Delays in the BUILD America 250 Act also leave the Highway Trust Fund, projected to become insolvent by 2028, without new revenue.
The takeaway
Lame-duck sessions often force hard tradeoffs under deadline pressure, and this one will test whether lawmakers can resolve funding fights before power shifts in January. Readers tracking federal spending should watch the Dec. 11 deadline closely.
What happens next
Dec. 11 is the government funding deadline under the continuing resolution, when Congress must act again to avoid a shutdown.
Further reading
Explore more coverage in Legislative Policy for context on federal funding and congressional deadlines.
Source note: This article includes information reported by [your]NEWS - Freddy Peralta to make Rays' debut vs. Rockies - The Tampa Bay Rays were active right up to Monday night's trade deadline, and their most significant addition is set to debut with his new team on Tuesday. Right-hander Freddy Peralta (5-9, 4.99 ERA), acquired from the New York Mets on Sunday, will be on the mound when Tampa Bay plays the second contest of.
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