Lawmakers return Tuesday after a six-week election break, where a lame duck session will blend lingering issues with the forward motion of the incoming Congress.
With government funding set to run out next month, Republicans will face the question of whether to cut a deal with Democrats or push the funding issue into next year, when President-elect Trump takes office only weeks after the GOP assumes control of both the House and Senate.
Foremost on Republicans’ minds as they return are leadership elections in both chambers. On the Senate side, John Thune (S.D.) and John Cornyn (Texas) have fought a two-man battle for months, and now face a challenge, supported by boldface names, from Rick Scott (Fla.).
Increased jockeying on the House side was spurred this week by Trump’s pick of Rep. Elise Stefanik (R-N.Y.) as his ambassador to the United Nations, opening up a leadership role.
Follow along here all day for updates from opening day of the lame duck session.
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