Thread by @politico

This may be the only full week both the House and Senate may be in session during the lame duck Congress and the backdrop is grim.

The pandemic is hitting its height, the economy is showing some signs of struggle, and society is, again, being tested.
politi.co/2Vh3pxF

There are only 11 days for Congress to put together a spending bill — either an omnibus or stopgap measure — to avert a shutdown during the last month of Trump's presidency.

There appears to be unity on top-line numbers, but much left to be negotiated.
politi.co/2Vh3pxF

The National Defense Authorization Act has passed every year for the last six decades. But renaming bases named after Confederate leaders is still a sticking point. Most lawmakers are OK with it. Trump isn't. politi.co/2Vh3pxF

Meanwhile, Trump is still contesting the election results and making outlandish claims about the process.

Reminder: The Electoral College will certify the results Dec. 14.
politi.co/2Vh3pxF

And Biden has set up a number of confirmation fights which will begin in earnest in the next few weeks:

• Tony Blinken for secretary of State, will get pressure from GOP to detail who his firm consulted for

• Neera Tanden for OMB will be a brawl

politi.co/2Vh3pxF