Congress faces a December 11, 2026, deadline when the current continuing resolution expires, leaving roughly five legislative weeks in the lame-duck session after the November 3 midterms for action on the 12 unfinished FY2027 appropriations bills. The September stopgap measure passed with strong bipartisan margins and holds most agencies at prior-year levels while extending surface transportation and other authorities. Negotiators must reconcile differences over topline spending, defense priorities, and policy provisions amid competing expiring items such as certain veterans’ health extenders and farm bill provisions. Election outcomes will shape party leverage on whether to pursue full-year bills, a hybrid package, or another short-term extension, with analysts noting the compressed calendar raises the risk of impasse. A lapse would begin December 12 absent new legislation or a further continuing resolution.