Congress Enters Lame Duck Session with Sights on COVID-19 Relief, Spending Deals

Negotiations over Fiscal Year 2021 spending and COVID relief packages are expected to dominate Congress’ post-election “lame-duck” session. Following reelection, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) expressed interest in passing a bipartisan coronavirus relief package before the end of the year. However, it is unclear whether House Democrats, Senate Republicans, and the White House will come to an agreement over costs and priorities.   

Also on the docket for the lame duck session is seeking a deal on FY21 appropriations to avert a government shutdown on December 11. On November 10, Senate lawmakers introduced their appropriations spending bills, including one for the Departments of Labor, Homeland Security, and Education that would provide $73.2 billion in discretionary funding for education, a 1 percent increase from current spending levels. The Senate proposal is similar in size to the House appropriations bill released earlier in July, which includes $73.5 billion in discretionary funding for education.

To keep the government open, Congress must come to a bipartisan, bicameral agreement on the overall government spending package for fiscal year 2021. The spending bill could also potentially serve as a vehicle for COVID-19 relief should a stand-alone bill on pandemic aid fail to proceed.

To stay updated on the latest developments around the lame duck session of Congress, COVID-19 relief negotiations, and the presidential transition, subscribe to the CASE Advocacy Network.  

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