With Congress on recess until November 11, lawmakers face a packed post-Election Day agenda, including potential power shifts, crucial funding deadlines, and a must-pass defense bill.
As Congress adjourns for a six-week recess, the Fox News Power Rankings predict significant changes in power dynamics when lawmakers reconvene after the November midterm elections.
The halls of Congress will remain empty until November 11, providing vulnerable incumbents ample time to secure support before voters head to the polls. Leaders on both sides of the aisle are strategizing for the final weeks of the 118th Congress, known as the "lame duck" session.
Fox News Power Rankings Point to GOP Senate Recapture, Toss-up for House
Upon their return, lawmakers will face the cusp of a new presidential administration and a potentially altered balance of power in Congress. Key factors will include the outcome of the presidential election and whether Vice President Kamala Harris or former President Donald Trump emerges victorious.
Speaker Mike Johnson's agenda will be heavily influenced by the election's outcome. Federal funding for discretionary government programs will expire on December 20, necessitating Congressional action. The outcome of this battle will hinge on the party controlling Congress and the White House next year.
Fox News Power Rankings Point to GOP Senate Recapture, Toss-up for House
House Republicans may push for an extension into the new year if Trump wins, giving him control over federal spending for fiscal year 2025. A Harris victory could prompt the GOP majority to engage more actively, but success is likely to be limited by the current Democrat-controlled Senate.
Congress will also grapple with a new National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), setting military and national security policy. House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil, R-Wis., emphasizes defense spending and policy as top priorities, citing the perceived weaknesses in the Biden administration's foreign policy.
Fox News Power Rankings Point to GOP Senate Recapture, Toss-up for House
Another crucial battle concerns the farm bill, which affects federal food benefits, crop prices, and forestry conservation. Congress extended the 2018 farm bill through the end of December 2024, and Steil expresses optimism for a new authorization.
Rep. Andy Ogles, R-Tenn., emphasizes the fiscal year 2025 funding process, urging the House to prioritize the appropriations process instead of an omnibus spending bill. However, senior Republicans prefer to complete the process this year to avoid a potential government shutdown crisis for the incoming administration.
Fox News Power Rankings Point to GOP Senate Recapture, Toss-up for House
President Biden will be in his lame duck window when Congress returns, and his actions will be closely scrutinized. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Tom Cole, R-Okla., hopes that the next president will hold the current administration accountable for completing its job.
In conclusion, the post-Election Day agenda for Congress will be packed with potential shifts in power and crucial deadlines. The outcome of the presidential election and the balance of power in Congress will shape the legislative landscape, with key issues such as funding, defense, and agriculture taking center stage.
