With a major funding cliff looming on December 11, how will the newly elected congressional leaders navigate the threat of a shutdown?

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The most likely path is a short-term continuing resolution before Dec. 11, not a full-year spending deal. Jim Jordan and John Thune take over just as Congress faces a funding deadline with little time, thin margins, and unfinished appropriations work. The current stopgap expires Dec. 11, and both chambers would need bipartisan support to prevent a lapse, especially in the Senate where 60 votes are required. Given that only part of the regular spending process is complete and lawmakers are entering a lame-duck session, a clean or narrowly tailored extension into early 2027 is widely seen as the practical option. Jordan’s role in the House minority will likely be to shape Republican messaging and negotiate from a more confrontational posture on spending and oversight, but he will not control the floor once the new Congress convenes. In the immediate term, any shutdown avoidance measure will still depend on cross-party votes. Thune, re-elected by Senate Republicans, is expected to emphasize keeping his conference aligned around core priorities while also finding a workable path on must-pass items. The pressure points are clear: leaders must decide whether to pass a simple extension or attach limited policy provisions. Outside groups are already pushing for add-ons involving federal grant rules and housing protections, but broader demands could complicate passage. Other unresolved items, including the NDAA and transportation authorities, add to the year-end squeeze. So the leade…

Jim Jordan Wins House GOP Post 106-73 as John Thune Secures Senate Minority Leadership

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Jim Jordan Wins House GOP Post 106-73 as John Thune Secures Senate Minority Leadership

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