In the current lame-duck session, Congress faces converging December 11 deadlines for government funding under a continuing resolution, surface transportation authorizations, portions of the farm bill, and select healthcare programs. Democrats secured majorities in both chambers in the November 2026 midterms, setting up divided government with President Trump beginning in January 2027. Recent activity includes Senate advancement of bipartisan permitting reform legislation to accelerate energy and infrastructure projects, alongside House passage of veterans’ benefits measures and ongoing NDAA negotiations complicated by foreign policy disputes. Lawmakers may bundle these items into an omnibus package or pursue targeted extensions before the new Congress convenes.