Politics · United States · 3 hrs ago
Republicans prepare for minority as Congress returns after midterm losses
Republicans lost control of both chambers in the US midterm elections, and Democrats are set to take over in January.
As Congress returns to Washington, Republicans are preparing to lead from the minority for the final two years of Donald Trump’s presidency.
Steve Scalise and Jim Jordan are competing to lead House Republicans, while Tom Emmer and August Pfluger are vying to become the party’s House whip.
In the Senate, John Thune is running unopposed for the Republican minority leader role.
Federal funding expires on December 11, so lawmakers need to agree on an extension or risk a government shutdown.
A short-term funding bill is widely expected, while Congress also faces other unfinished work, including the farm bill and military funding legislation.
Democrats take control in January, and the parties will have to decide which remaining measures can pass before then.
Lawmakers have returned to Washington to finish work before Democrats take control of both chambers of Congress in January.
Federal funding is set to run out on December 11, raising the risk of a government shutdown unless Congress agrees on an extension.
Republicans are holding leadership elections as they prepare to become the minority party in both chambers.
Congress also faces decisions on defense funding, the farm bill, transportation infrastructure and other legislation.
A debt ceiling deadline is approaching in January.
- Who
- Members of Congress, including Republicans choosing new party leaders. Democrats are set to take control of both chambers in January.
- What
- Congress has returned to address a funding deadline and other legislation, while Republicans hold leadership elections.
- When
- Lawmakers returned the week of November 9, 2026. Federal funding is set to run out on December 11.
- Where
- Capitol Hill and Washington, DC.
- Why
- Congress must act before current federal funding expires and before Democrats take control of both chambers in January.
Steve Scalise
Jim Jordan
Leadership approach
Steve Scalise
Scalise presents himself as an experienced leader who can unite Republicans and guide them in the minority.
Jim Jordan
Jordan advocates a more aggressive approach to confronting the Democratic majority and says he can better coordinate the party’s response to investigations into the Trump administration.
Congress passed a stop-gap funding measure that is set to expire on December 11.
Lawmakers returned to Washington after the midterm elections.
House and Senate Republicans are scheduled to elect party leaders.
Current federal funding is set to run out.
Democrats are set to take control of both chambers of Congress, and a debt ceiling deadline is approaching.
- Funding deadline
- December 11, 2026
- New Congress
- 120th Congress, sworn in in January
- Senate majority for Democrats
- At least 54 of 100 seats
- House majority for Democrats
- At least 254 of 435 voting members
- House minority leader contest
- Steve Scalise versus Jim Jordan
4 sources
Which Republicans are running for minority leadership roles in US Congress?
Congress returns to brutal lame-duck stretch with shutdown deadline, leadership races: 'Closet is full of s—'
Congress is coming back to Washington. Here's what to expect
This week on the Hill: Congress returns to leadership fights, shutdown deadline after GOP losses
What people are saying
The lame duck is like that closet in your house where everybody's throwing a bunch of s--- into it
And the closet is full of s--- now, and now we got to figure out how to get it all out of there.
It’s going to feel like a funeral
battle-tested