What Comes Next: Jeffries Seeks the Speaker's Gavel, Johnson Steps Aside, and a December Shutdown Deadline Looms

House Democrats promise a 100-day agenda on costs and health care plus broad oversight of the administration; Republicans face a lame-duck session and leadership races of their own.

With control of both chambers settled, the focus in Washington shifted this week to who will lead the new Congress when it convenes on Jan. 3, 2027, and what it will try to do.

Democrats: Jeffries for speaker

House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries of New York formally launched his bid for speaker on Wednesday, telling reporters at a press conference with his top deputies that he intends to run, Fox News reported. In a letter to colleagues he wrote, "I write to humbly request your support in connection with my candidacy." Minority Whip Katherine Clark of Massachusetts and Caucus Chairman Pete Aguilar of California signaled they will run for the No. 2 and No. 3 posts. House Democrats plan to hold leadership elections in mid-December. If elected by the full House, Jeffries would be the first Black speaker.

"We're going to work hard to deliver on the dramatic change that you deserve," Jeffries said, according to the AP. In his letter he wrote, "Donald Trump and House Republicans promised to lower costs on Day One. They failed."

Republicans: new leaders

Speaker Mike Johnson will not seek to lead House Republicans in the next Congress, according to two people familiar with his plans who spoke to the AP on condition of anonymity. Fox News reported that House Judiciary Chairman Jim Jordan of Ohio and Majority Leader Steve Scalise of Louisiana will compete to be minority leader.

The agenda

According to the AP, House Democrats plan a 100-day agenda focused on lowering costs for gas, groceries and other goods, and on reversing cuts to the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid. They also plan wide-ranging oversight of the administration. Impeachment of the president or Cabinet members has not been ruled out. Rep. Robert Garcia, the top Democrat on the House Oversight Committee, summed up his plans in two words: "Lawyer up." Sen. Ron Wyden, the top Democrat on the Senate Finance Committee, offered one: "Subpoenas."

President Trump struck a more conciliatory tone, suggesting he could work with Democrats while warning of gridlock and threatening vetoes. "I don't want to be just sitting there for two years vetoing everything," he told Politico, as quoted by the AP.

The lame duck

Before the new Congress arrives, the current Republican majorities return for a lame-duck session. Government funding runs out Dec. 11, raising the possibility of a shutdown if Congress does not pass a spending bill. The AP reported hopes for another Republican-only legislative package appear dim. Some conservatives have discussed a possible Supreme Court confirmation before January, but no justice has announced plans to retire.

Why it matters

For the next two years, nearly every bill will need both a Democratic Congress and a Republican president to agree. That makes conscience protections, pro-life riders in spending bills and religious-liberty safeguards harder to expand, and puts a premium on defending what is already in law. It also means the confirmation of judges, which has shaped religious-liberty law for a generation, will slow sharply in the Senate. Readers who care about these issues should know their new representatives and senators by name, and contact them early and often, with courtesy.

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