The 411 on the Lame-Duck Session
Congress is back in Washington, and the clock is officially ticking. The lame-duck session is upon us, and there is zero time to waste.
Between now and January 3, 2027, when the new Congress is sworn in, Senate leadership and the White House must get crystal clear on their top priorities. The simple math of Capitol Hill dictates that once the clock runs out, any unconfirmed nominee or unfinished piece of conservative legislation dies.
There are two non-negotiables that must be executed over these final weeks:
Clear the Judicial & Executive Nominees: Priority appointments - ambassadors, deputy secretaries, key agency directors, and federal judges - must be fast-tracked immediately. President Trump says there are 161 unconfirmed positions — prioritize them.
Pass Essential & Conservative Legislation: Beyond must-pass items like government funding and the National Defense Authorization act (NDAA), key legislative wins like the SAVE America Act and codifying border security policies must be pushed over the finish line.
The Senate cannot operate on a casual schedule of two-day workweeks and mid-session retreats. Lawmakers need to be working 24 hours a day, 7 days a week through January 3. As legendary coach Bill Belichick famously put it: Do your job.
I get thats more work that most senators are used to but you ran for this office — take Thanksgiving and Christmas off — but that’s it.
Today’s issue breaks down why this lame-duck window is our last bite at the apple, how Chuck Schumer plans to stall every nominee, and the exact steps leadership must take right now.
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Stories I’m reading…
Trump admin sues Penn State over in-state tuition policy for undocumented migrants - via Fox News
Scoop: White House furious over surprise challenge to Trump’s RNC chair - via Axios
Top RFK Jr. ally bashes Trump admin after quitting - via Politico
Scoop: Mamdani’s bid for 2028 kingmaker - via Axios
McCormick calls for delay in Senate GOP leadership elections - via Axios
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