Expect the legislation to move on several key Republican priorities, from curbing illegal immigration to reducing government regulations.
There may be proposals to reduce military aid to Ukraine, introduce new tariffs, reduce clean energy spending and strengthen border security.
At a November press conference, Johnson outlined a Republican agenda aimed at reducing inflation, securing borders, restoring the country’s energy dominance, implementing “freedom of education” and “draining the swamp.”
Lawmakers will also need to address the debt ceiling — the total amount the U.S. can borrow to meet its obligations. The problem already arose at the end of 2024, when lawmakers faced a government shutdown.
Trump demanded that lawmakers raise or even suspend the debt limit in any spending deal, but that provision was left out of the final version of the bill that passed both chambers.
Perhaps several priorities could be combined in a so-called reconciliation bill, which allows Congress to pass a tax, spending and debt limit bill with only a majority vote. This method avoids mischief in the Senate, where opposing lawmakers might delay or even derail a vote.
However they choose to approach it, lawmakers may be spending more personal time on Capitol Hill to decide their priorities next session.
Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune has scheduled many more days and weeks for the Senate — including work days on Mondays and Fridays, traditionally considered travel days.
