After the recent elections, Congress reconvenes for a lame-duck session focusing on government funding and leadership elections while grappling with Trump's impending influence. The looming December 20 funding deadline and a packed legislative calendar—including defense policy and disaster relief bills—add urgency. House Speaker Mike Johnson faces pressure from various factions within the GOP, balancing Trump's direct influence against the need for bipartisan cooperation. Leadership races in both chambers are further complicated by newly elected members and the shifting political landscape, emphasizing the necessity for cohesive Republican strategy before the Trump administration resumes.