Hill returns for lame duck session

Congress is back in Washington this week to begin the post-election lame duck session. The agenda is packed with high-stakes votes and leadership changes as the new Congress takes shape.

Outgoing Rep. Thomas Massie of Kentucky has pledged to force a privileged resolution to impeach Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. The House is required to vote on such a resolution. Massie stated that the only ways to stop that vote are if Hegseth resigns or if President Donald Trump fires him.

Hegseth reacted to the move by posting a video to social media. He vowed to fight the effort, calling it political theater. “It’s all about the politics of personal destruction. It didn’t work with President Trump and it won’t work with me. You can rest assured of that,” he said.

The group also must act quickly on government funding. The current continuing resolution expires on Dec. 11. Lawmakers will begin work this week to keep the government open beyond that date.

Freshmen members are arriving for their orientation this week. House Republicans are also preparing to elect new leadership following last week’s election results. Speaker Mike Johnson of Louisiana said he will not run for the new Minority Leader position. Two candidates are currently vying for the role: House Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana and House Judiciary Committee Chair Jim Jordan of Ohio.