Below is the Federal Policy team's weekly preview, published each week when Congress is in session.

HEADLINES

  • Congress continues its lame-duck session after last week's Thanksgiving recess and with only eight legislative days ahead before funding for nearly 40 percent of the government expires.
  • House lawmakers are focused on organizational matters for the next Congress, including House Democrats holding their internal leadership votes.
  • President Donald Trump later this week will travel to Buenos Aires to meet with world leaders at the G20 summit.

HOUSE

  • The House will be in session Tuesday through Friday. The floor agenda is focused on noncontroversial legislation.
  • Democrats on Wednesday will elect their caucus leadership. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., has steadily shored up her bid for a second stint as speaker, and it now appears likely she will succeed after facing down resistance from newer Democrats. Rep. Steny Hoyer, D-Md., is the likely majority leader, and Rep. James Clyburn, D-S.C., is poised to return as majority whip.
  • House Republicans this week will choose committee ranking members, with several contested races, including on the Appropriations, Judiciary and Foreign Affairs committees.
  • A full listing of House committee activity can be found here.

SENATE

  • The Senate is scheduled to be in session Monday through Friday. The floor agenda includes five Trump administration nominees.
  • The Senate Commerce Subcommittee on Consumer Protection will hold an oversight hearing on the Federal Trade Commission, with a focus on privacy and data security.
  • The Senate HELP Committee will examine how innovation can reduce healthcare costs. The panel also is scheduled to vote to renew several expiring federal health initiatives, including the Traumatic Brain Injury Program.
  • The current listing of Senate committee activity can be found here.

WHITE HOUSE

  • Trump tonight will travel to Mississippi to campaign in support of Cindy Hyde-Smith, R-Miss., who faces a runoff election tomorrow. Hyde-Smith is favored to win re-election despite a series of campaign gaffes in recent weeks.
  • Trump has cabinet meetings Tuesday, followed by the National Christmas Tree lighting on Wednesday.
  • Trump on Thursday travels to Argentina to spend two days at the G20 summit. His planned meetings include discussions with Chinese President Xi Jinping, amid the two countries' ongoing trade war.

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