Congress returns for final 2024 lame-duck sprint

Washington — Congress returns this week from a Thanksgiving recess with a number of priorities to get through before the end of the year, while a deadline to fund the government looms over lawmakers. 

With the new Congress set to be sworn in on Jan. 3, lawmakers are pushing through a list of to-dos in the coming weeks in the lame-duck session, while Republicans gear up for leadership in Washington next year. 

But first, Congress must address government funding, since lawmakers only have until Dec. 20 to fund the government. And although a shutdown remains unlikely, leaders will need to reach an agreement on a short term funding measure in the weeks ahead.