Washington : Democrats won control of both chambers of the US Congress in last week’s midterm elections, dealing a major setback to President Donald Trump’s Republican Party. But Republicans still have roughly seven weeks to advance their legislative agenda before the newly elected Congress takes office.
The 120th US Congress is scheduled to assume office on January 3, 2027. Before that, however, the Republican-controlled 119th Congress must contend with several pressing legislative matters, including government funding and defence spending Any bills that are not passed into law before the current Congress ends will have to be introduced afresh in the next Congress.
This final period, known as the ‘lame-duck’ session, gives Republicans one last opportunity to advance their priorities before handing control of Congress to Democrats. Which bills are likely to take priority, and does the outgoing Congress face any restrictions on its powers? We explain.
What is the lame-duck period?
The ‘lame-duck’ period refers to the period between federal elections and the newly elected members taking office.
The members of Congress retain all their legislative powers until January 3, including the ability to vote on and pass bills. Any bill left unpassed, regardless of how far it has progressed, is considered dead, and the legislative process must be restarted if lawmakers wish to pursue it in the next Congress.
It is also a period during which lawmakers due to be replaced operate in a lower-stakes environment since the question of re-election has already been answered. The term ‘lame-duck’ refers more to the waning political power of the sitting Congress than to any limitation on its constitutional powers.
What is the progress on pending legislation?
Several legislative proposals remain on the agenda. The immediate priority is government funding.
Each year, the United States Congress must pass 12 appropriations bills that provide federal agencies with the authority to incur obligations and make payments for government functions such as defence, transportation, healthcare and education. The funding cycle begins on October 1 each year.
Currently, federal agencies are operating under a temporary arrangement, known as a continuing resolution (CR), under Public Law 119-103, which expires on December 11. Congress was unable to agree on full-year funding before the October 1 deadline, necessitating the interim arrangement. Should Congress fail to agree on a budget or pass another CR, a funding lapse will begin on December 12. This may force federal agencies to suspend non-essential operations.
Three of the 12 appropriations bills have been cleared by the full House. The Senate, meanwhile, has yet to report any of its versions of the 12 bills, with disagreements over overall spending levels and President Trump’s proposed defence budget holding up negotiations.
Congress may also seek to address healthcare funding extensions, infrastructure and permitting reforms, and outstanding presidential and judicial nominations.
How about defence spending? What does this mean for the Iran War?
Given the US military’s involvement in the Middle East this year, defence remains another priority for Congress.
The National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) is an annual law that sets out defence policies and authorises spending for the US Department of Defense (DoD). For FY2027, a version of the NDAA has been cleared by the House of Representatives and is currently awaiting Senate approval.
Congress must reconcile the House and Senate versions before sending a final bill to Trump for approval.
The implications of the NDAA extend beyond routine military expenditure. The Iran War, which began on February 28, 2026, has placed considerable pressure on American military resources, particularly its stockpiles of precision-guided munitions and missile interceptors.
The Trump administration has already sought additional funding to address these requirements. In June 2026, the White House submitted a supplemental defence funding request of approximately $67.1 billion for the Department of Defense, covering military operations against Iran as well as other defence priorities. This included funding for operational costs, replacement of damaged or depleted equipment, and accelerated munitions production.
Democrats, however, have questioned the scale of the administration’s defence spending demands. Under the new Congress, the NDAA could also become an avenue for lawmakers to seek greater reporting on military operations, weapons stockpiles and the use of defence funds
What restrictions does the outgoing Congress face?
Constitutionally, there are no special restrictions imposed on a lame-duck Congress. Until the 119th Congress concludes its term, its members retain the same legislative authority they had before the midterm elections.
There are, however, several practical and procedural constraints:
- Currently, Congress has limited time to complete its agenda. The second session of the 119th Congress ends on January 3, 2027, leaving little room for prolonged negotiations.
- A bill must ordinarily secure approval from both the House and Senate in identical form before it is presented to the President. Disagreements between the chambers can therefore delay legislation.
- Even if Congress passes a bill, Trump can veto it. Congress can override the veto only with a two-thirds majority in both chambers.
- The Republicans’ electoral defeat weakens their bargaining position.
The lame-duck session is therefore a political contest over which policies the outgoing Republican majority can secure before Democrats assume control on January 3, 2027.
