The approaching 2026 midterm elections and the subsequent lame-duck session represent the dominant near-term driver for legislation likely to reach the president's desk this year. Congress adjourned in late September with a continuing resolution funding the government only through December 11, leaving annual appropriations, the National Defense Authorization Act, farm bill reauthorization, and FISA Section 702 extensions among the priorities for the post-election period beginning November 9. Recent activity includes House passage of the Water Resources Development Act of 2026, Senate agreement on permitting reform text, and enactment of narrower measures on taxes, sanctions, and taxpayer rights. Outcomes will hinge on election results, Senate vote thresholds, and negotiations over spending levels and policy riders.