Congress returns for busy lame-duck session facing shutdown deadline and Hegseth impeachment

Congress returns Monday for a five-week lame-duck session facing a crowded agenda, including averting a government shutdown after Dec. 11, passing the National Defense Authorization Act, and addressing the impeachment of Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth. House Speaker Mike Johnson faces pressure from his conference as GOP leadership plans to advance just one bill under a rule next week. Republican Rep. Thomas Massie is expected to reintroduce a privileged resolution with eight articles of impeachment against Hegseth, who has vowed to stay in his job despite Republican losses in the midterm elections. The session also features leadership elections, with Johnson not seeking reelection as GOP leader and Steve Scalise competing against Jim Jordan. At least 109 incoming House freshmen will be seated in January, the largest class since 1933, while the Senate must confirm remaining nominees and address FISA reform, the Farm Bill, and permitting reform legislation.