The lame-duck session begins today, with retiring and defeated Members of Congress coming back to Washington to make their last legislative decisions. Because of the lack of accountability to voters, the lame-duck period brings heightened scrutiny.
Congress has 16 working days scheduled between now and the end of the year, though it could add more. Here are some of the contentious issues likely to be debated—and perhaps even decided—during that time.
Issues they will face include:
The ‘fiscal cliff.’
Defense cuts.
The debt ceiling.
Disaster funding.
Law of the Sea Treaty and other UN treaties.
Cybersecurity.
Click here for more information on each.