Expect to see legislation move on several key Republican priorities, ranging from curbing illegal immigration to cutting government regulations.
There could be proposals to reduce military aid to Ukraine, impose new tariffs, cut spending for clean energy and enhance border security.
In a November press conference, Johnson outlined a Republican agenda that aimed to reduce inflation, secure borders, restore the country’s energy dominance, implement “education freedom” and “drain the swamp”.
Lawmakers will also have to address the debt ceiling – the total amount the US can borrow to meet its obligations. The issue already popped up at the end of 2024 when lawmakers faced a government shutdown.
Trump demanded that lawmakers raise or even suspend the debt limit in any spending deal, but the provision was dropped from the final version of the bill that passed in both chambers.
It is possible several priorities may be combined in what is known as a reconciliation bill, which allows Congress to pass a bill on taxes, spending and the debt limit with just a majority. This method avoids the possibility of a filibuster in the Senate, in which opposing lawmakers could delay or even derail a vote.
However they choose to approach it, lawmakers may be spending more face-time on Capitol Hill to tackle their priorities in the next session.
Incoming Senate Majority Leader John Thune has scheduled notably more days and weeks for the Senate – including working days on Mondays and Fridays, which traditionally have been considered travel days.
