Lawmakers are returning to Washington this Monday to begin a high-stakes, five-week Congress lame-duck session following a historic midterm election cycle that saw Democrats take control of both the House and Senate. This final stretch of the 119th Congress features a dense legislative calendar, including a critical government funding deadline and a push for the impeachment of a high-ranking official.
With dozens of members preparing to leave office and a massive influx of new representatives arriving for orientation, the next month will determine the trajectory of federal spending, national defense policy, and internal party leadership for the coming years.
The Push for Pete Hegseth Impeachment
One of the most immediate points of friction in the House involves Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. Representative Thomas Massie, a Republican who is currently serving out the remainder of his term after losing a primary earlier this year, is expected to move forward with a privileged resolution to impeach the Pentagon chief.
Massie’s resolution includes eight articles of impeachment. This move comes as some members of the GOP, including Vice President JD Vance, have linked the party's recent midterm losses to the ongoing war in Iran. Despite the pressure, President Donald Trump stated on Thursday that he intends to keep Hegseth in his current role.
Hegseth has remained defiant, releasing a video where he compared his situation to the legal challenges faced by the President. "This is not about me, but of course the other side, they’re obsessed," Hegseth stated while defending his cultural and military agenda at the Pentagon. The Pete Hegseth impeachment effort could reach a head as early as midweek if Massie introduces the resolution on Monday.
Epstein Transparency Act II and the Discharge Petition
Beyond the impeachment effort, Thomas Massie is nearing a significant procedural milestone regarding the Epstein Transparency Act II. He currently has 216 of the 218 signatures required for a discharge petition, which would force a floor vote on the bill regardless of leadership's preferences.
The legislation is designed to allow state attorneys general, victims, and members of Congress to sue the U.S. Attorney General in federal court if records related to the Jeffrey Epstein and Ghislaine Maxwell investigations are unlawfully withheld or redacted.
Attorney General Todd Blanche has previously faced scrutiny regarding the handling of these files. During a Senate Judiciary Committee hearing in July, Blanche admitted to certain errors. "Whenever we learned that any victim's name had been improperly non-redacted, we immediately took the document down and fixed it as soon as we could," Blanche testified, while taking responsibility for the mistakes.
House and Senate Leadership Transitions
As the Congress lame-duck session progresses, both parties are preparing for major internal shifts. Speaker Mike Johnson has announced he will not seek the GOP leadership position for the next Congress. This has set up a contest between Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan for the role of House Republican leader.
On the other side of the aisle, Democrats are scheduled to hold their leadership elections on November 18. Hakeem Jeffries is the expected nominee for Speaker of the House from the Democratic caucus.
In the Senate, Republicans will hold a secret ballot on Tuesday morning to select their leaders. While current leadership members are seeking to keep their posts, there is reported pressure from those close to Trump to consider a broader overhaul. Chuck Schumer is currently working to secure the necessary support to serve as majority leader for the Democrats.
A Historic Class of House Freshmen
The incoming 120th Congress will feature the largest group of new members in nearly a century. At least 109 House freshmen are set to be seated, marking the biggest class since the 73rd Congress in 1933. Freshman orientation begins this Sunday, featuring a week of events and a formal photo opportunity on the House steps this coming Thursday.
The Senate is also seeing significant turnover, with at least 17 senators departing. This number will likely increase as Senators Marsha Blackburn and Amy Klobuchar prepare to vacate their seats to become governors of their respective states, requiring their successors to be appointed.
Critical Legislative Deadlines and the NDAA 2026
Congress faces a looming government funding deadline on December 11. Without a new agreement, the government could face a shutdown. In addition to spending bills, several other major pieces of legislation remain unfinished:
- NDAA 2026: The National Defense Authorization Act must be passed to set Pentagon policy, though disputes over Iran war funding remain a hurdle.
- FISA Section 702: The reauthorization of this foreign intelligence surveillance tool is on the agenda.
- The Farm Bill: Lawmakers are working to pass this long-expired agricultural legislation.
- Permitting Reform: A bipartisan package aimed at streamlining infrastructure projects will face a procedural vote in the Senate on Monday.
Senate Republicans are also expected to focus on confirming remaining nominees before the party loses its current level of influence in the chamber this January.
Frequently Asked Questions
When does the current government funding expire?
Federal funding is set to run out after December 11. Lawmakers must reach a deal before this date to prevent a government shutdown.
Who is challenging for the House Republican leadership?
With Speaker Mike Johnson stepping aside, Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan are competing for the House Republican leader position.
What is the Epstein Transparency Act II?
It is a bill that would allow victims and officials to sue the U.S. Attorney General in federal court if investigative records regarding Jeffrey Epstein are improperly withheld or redacted.