Lame-Duck Congress Returns Before Democrats Take Control

Congress returned to Washington on November 9, 2026, for what Inside Radio described as a crowded lame-duck session. A lame-duck session is the period after an election and before the newly elected Congress takes office.

Democrats gained full control of Congress for the first time since 2023 in the November 2026 midterm elections, according to NPR. Republicans lost their House and Senate majorities in the vote, as The Wall Street Journal reported.

The House scheduled its next meeting for 12:00 p.m. on November 9. The Senate scheduled its floor session, when the full chamber meets to conduct business, for 3:00 p.m. that Monday.

When the Senate reconvened, it planned to resume consideration of a motion to proceed to H.R. 2347. A motion to proceed is a procedural vote that opens debate on a bill.

NPR reported that Republicans planned to finish several outstanding issues before Democrats take control of Congress in January. Earlier NPR reporting said the lame-duck Congress under Republican majorities had to address a government funding bill and the National Defense Authorization Act, the annual defense policy bill.

Inside Radio reported that the AM radio bill faces a year-end deadline.

Some newly elected Democrats campaigned on a pledge to push for Medicare for All, NPR reported.