The House of Representatives and the Senate return this week from their Thanksgiving recess for the remainder of the lame-duck session of Congress. The top priority is passing a funding measure by Dec. 20 to prevent a government shutdown. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-LA) has stated he would prefer a short-term three-month extension through March of next year rather than a longer, omnibus spending package that would draw scrutiny from Republican fiscal hawks. However, a debate over government funding in March would complicate President-elect Donald Trump’s first 100 days as his administration will try to advance major parts of his domestic agenda.

President Joe Biden has requested $99 billion in supplemental funding, including an additional $40 billion for disaster-relief aid in response to recent hurricanes and $16 billion for additional military funding for Ukraine. Johnson has voiced opposition to additional Ukraine funding at this time, saying it should be a matter left for the incoming administration. The House and Senate are expected to resolve the funding issues the week of their scheduled recess, closer to the Dec. 20 funding deadline. The new Congress will be sworn in Jan. 3, 2025.