WASHINGTON (Gray DC) – Next week, Congress returns for its final “lame duck” session – the period after Election Day and before the new Congress begins in January.

Breanna Gray, an assistant professor of government and politics at the University of Maryland, believes the session will likely focus on federal funding, which expires Dec. 20, and authorization.

“We are looking to find a way to fund the government so that we can continue our operations into the new year. So I definitely think that’s going to be one of the main focuses,” she said.

On Wednesday, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said the remaining work had not yet been discussed.

“We’re going to have to figure out how to finish the year and that always involves a conversation between Senator Schumer and me. As for how we are going to conclude. But those conversations haven’t started yet,” the senator said.

Gray said she thinks the current Congress will likely only pass a short-term government funding bill once again, instead of tackling a full-year government funding bill .

She also expects the Biden administration to take executive action during the lame duck period.

“I think Ukraine is obviously a big concern. And perhaps create an additional financing program for Ukraine. I think when it comes to Iranian oil and some of the sanctions that this administration has focused on, I think there might be some attention paid to that,” Gray said. “We may also see President Biden decide to preempt the tariffs proposed by President-elect Donald Trump. »

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