Republicans are hoping to pave the way for the incoming Trump administration with a busy lame-duck session that includes a short-term spending bill to keep the government funded into next spring, legislation to help Flint address its water crisis, a medical research bill that Elizabeth Warren now opposes, re-upping sanctions on Iran, and a defense policy bill. Here's some notable points about the lame-duck battles ahead:
21 Century Cures Act
This medical research bill originated in the House with bipartisan support but is now being vehemently opposed by Sen. Elizabeth Warren as a gigantic gift to Big Pharma with some ancillary funding for health initiatives. This may be Democrats' first big test in blocking GOP initiatives, especially in the realm of corporate giveaways.
Stop-gap funding
Republicans are looking to temporarily maintain current funding levels for 11 of 12 federal agencies until they control the entire government next year. GOP budget negotiations should be a fun way to kick off the 115th Congress.
Flint water
The House and Senate are discussing a water bill that would include $220 million for water pipe repairs in Flint, Michigan, and other cities. Whether Republicans can make this happen remains to be seen.
McConnell and House Speaker Paul Ryan have promised that Flint assistance will be approved in the lame-duck session.
Defense spending
House and Senate negotiators hope to wrap up the defense policy bill, which Congress has passed every year for more than five decades. House Republicans are seeking to use the must-pass $602 billion bill to reverse protections against workplace discrimination by Pentagon contractors based on sexual or gender orientation. Another battle is over how much additional money to spend on weapon systems that the Pentagon didn't request in its budget.
Democrats have staunchly opposed that anti-LGBTQ, anti-women provision and it's unclear whether it still remains in the bill at this point. (UPDATE: It’s out of the NDAA because “new paths have opened up” to address it—i.e. Republicans can do anything they want next year.)
Coal miner pensions
Both Sens. Pat Toomey and Rob Portman ran for re-election supporting a bill that would protect the health care and pensions for some 120,000 coal miners. But it's unclear whether they can get that bill past their penny-pinching GOP colleagues who are much more interested in cutting taxes for the rich.
McConnell and others are wary of bailing out unionized workers.
Energy bill
The House and Senate remain far apart as they seek to approve the first major energy bill in nearly a decade. Prospects for completion look dim as senators push provisions opposed in the House. These include speeding exports of liquefied natural gas and long-term authorization for a fund that promotes land and water conservation.