Republicans Target Defense and Judicial Wins in Lame-Duck Session

The Republican Party is preparing for a lame-duck session beginning November 9, 2026, as it faces the loss of its congressional majorities. The GOP intends to use budget reconciliation to advance several priority items before the Democratic Party takes control in January.

Legislative objectives include finalizing a bipartisan permitting reform deal for energy projects and securing $350 billion in defense funding for space networks and munitions. The party also seeks to confirm pending judicial nominees for the appellate courts and the Supreme Court. These efforts are framed as a final opportunity to implement the agenda of the Trump administration before the 2028 elections.

Economic and welfare priorities include indexing capital gains for inflation and reducing fraud in ObamaCare and Medicaid. One proposed measure involves implementing a $25 minimum premium payment for health benefits. The United States Congress must also finalize a defense policy bill and fund the government before a stopgap measure expires in December.

Democrats are expected to block judicial nominees and demand increases in domestic spending to offset the proposed defense funding hikes.