Trump's Shadow Over Congress: A Packed Agenda and Key Leadership Picks

With Donald Trump set to return to the White House in January, lawmakers on Capitol Hill are rushing to tackle a long list of tasks before the end of the year. Top of the agenda is preventing a government shutdown, which looms large as a December deadline approaches. Many Republicans want to delay key decisions until Trump is back in charge, but this could cause chaos early in his second term.Trump is also playing a significant role in internal party politics, influencing the selection of the next Senate GOP leader. The candidates are scrambling to show their loyalty to Trump, with some even reaching out to tech billionaire Elon Musk for endorsements. Meanwhile, Democrats are worried about losing power in the House. They have only a short window to push their priorities before the holiday break. Both parties face a tight timeline to pass important bills like the National Defense Authorization Act and the farm bill. This busy season is forcing lawmakers to think strategically and prioritize wisely.