Monday 28 November 2022 04:53 PM Congress prepares for an unhappy holidays as lawmakers return for 'lame duck' ... trends now
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Congress returns after a Thanksgiving break for a final legislative push before House Speaker Nancy Pelosi hands over her gavel to Republicans early in the new year.
Party leaders and factions are competing for priorities with limited floor time to move – with key 'must pass' legislation also set to soak up time and attention. Democrats have just weeks left with unified control of Congress, although their Senate majority will continue into the new year.
Legislation to protect same-sex and interracial marriages got a boost this month when a dozen Senate Republicans voted to advance a bill – signaling it could clear a Republican filibuster to become law if it gets priority.
Democrats pushed the bill after the Supreme Court struck down Roe v. Wade this summer, with some lawmakers warning same-sex marriage protections could be the next to fall.
Legislation to reform the Electoral Count Act, with its complex provisions spelling out the role of Congress in counting the Electoral College votes for president, could also sneak through to passage while Democrats are in control.
A version by Democratic Rep. Zoe Lofgren of California and Republican Wyoming Rep. Liz Cheney – who is soon to depart Congress – already passed the House, and 16 Republicans are on board with a Senate version.
The legislative hardball all comes as President Joe Biden's White House is trying to jump into the holiday spirit, rolling hot a new gingerbread White House and holiday decorations.
