Republicans Face Leadership Votes and Funding Deadline as Congress Returns

Lawmakers are back in Washington after the midterm elections.

The chamber schedule is compressed. House and Senate Republicans will vote on their leadership slates on Tuesday. House Democrats will hold their elections the following week, while Senate Democrats are scheduled to select their leaders in early December.

The House Republican leadership race is competitive. Speaker Mike Johnson is stepping down. Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan are competing for the role of minority leader. Rep. August Pfluger is challenging Majority Whip Tom Emmer for minority whip. Conference Chair Lisa McClain faces two opponents, Reps. Erin Houchin and Greg Steube.

Democrats are securing their positions with little opposition. House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries is expected to become Speaker. Whip Katherine Clark is positioned to become majority leader, and Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar is set to become whip. Rep. Joe Neguse will serve as assistant speaker, and Rep. Ted Lieu will lead the Democratic Caucus.

Senate Republicans face internal debate over timing. Sen. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin wrote to Senate Republican Conference Chair Tom Cotton, arguing that the party needs serious discussion before electing leaders. Johnson called holding elections without evaluation political malpractice. He said the letter would be signed by at least five colleagues. Sens. John Kennedy, Mike Lee, Rick Scott, and Dave McCormick expressed support. Johnson said there is no reason to rush because the outcome of races in Mississippi and Alaska is still unresolved.

Senate Democrats are also preparing for a shift in power. Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer appears to have improved his standing after the party outperformed expectations in the midterms. His leadership elections are slated for early next month.

Government funding expires on December 11. Congress must pass 12 annual appropriations bills or extend the stopgap measure. The initial deadline was September 30, but a short-term extension avoided a fight before the elections. Rep. Rosa DeLauro, the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, said negotiators will begin work after the election. She stated her goal is to pass all 12 bills and avoid a continuing resolution that extends into next year.

The Iran war complicates the funding fight. Some Democrats want to use their leverage to block funds for the conflict. However, a shutdown could spill into the new Congress. Congress also faces a year-end deadline to pass the annual defense policy bill. This bill may face opposition due to scrutiny of Pentagon leadership.

Anger toward Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth has intensified. Rep. Thomas Massie introduced articles of impeachment in September. House GOP leaders delayed the vote until now. Massie plans to force a vote unless Hegseth resigns. He warned that his resolution is a gentler version of what may come under Democratic control. Rep. James Comer said there are many questions about the strategy in Iran. Rep. French Hill of Arkansas said he is not satisfied with the war's handling but wants to debate whether it merits impeachment or other disciplinary action.

A third reconciliation bill remains in limbo. Republicans want to use this process to approve defense funding without Democrats. Hegseth called for a generational investment of at least $350 billion for the Department of War. Ron Johnson said he is preparing for reconciliation 3.0 and is ready to act if the White House provides direction. Thune said he is open to the option but noted the votes are not currently there. DeLauro warned that a party-line reconciliation package could threaten bipartisan negotiations on appropriations.