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Both chambers of Congress are scheduled to return to Washington on November 9 for the lame-duck session. While there are a few actions Congress is highly likely to take, the broader agenda will depend heavily on the outcome of the midterm elections.

The House is expected to hold a procedurally required vote on articles of impeachment filed by Rep. Tom Massie (R-KY) against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The Senate is also expected to continue considering and confirming additional administration nominees. Beyond those actions, Congress faces a substantial list of unfinished business that lawmakers would normally seek to address before the end of the year, including:

  • FY 2027 appropriations: Congress will need to enact individual appropriations bills or another continuing resolution to keep the federal government funded beyond December 11.
  • National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA): The annual defense policy bill authorizing programs and expenditures for the Department of Defense.
  • Surface transportation reauthorization: The BUILD America 250 Act, which would authorize funding for highways, transit, rail, freight and related safety programs.
  • Water Resources Development Act (WRDA): Legislation authorizing Army Corps of Engineers projects involving ports and harbors, inland waterways, flood and storm protection, and other water infrastructure.
  • Export-Import Bank: Legislation extending the bank’s general statutory authority, which expires December 31.
  • Farm Bill: Legislation authorizing and reauthorizing a broad range of federal food, agriculture and rural development programs.
  • FISA Section 702: Legislation reauthorizing federal surveillance authorities under Section 702.
  • TSCA user fees: Legislation extending EPA’s authority, which expires December 11, to collect user fees from chemical manufacturers, importers and other regulated entities under the Toxic Substances Control Act.
  • BLM permitting fees: Legislation extending the Bureau of Land Management’s authority to collect oil and gas permitting fees on federal lands, which expired October 1.