Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell pledged Monday to complete the work of the post-election Congress “soon,” promising action on a fiscal 2017 spending measure, a defense funding authorization measure and a medical innovation bill favored by President Obama.
“We’ll work with our counterparts in the House to consider each of those in the coming days and to send final bills to the president’s desk for signature,” McConnell, R-Ky., said.
Lawmakers return from Thanksgiving recess this week to complete the lame duck session. The most pressing legislative matter is a Dec. 9 deadline on government funding.
The House has proposed a three-month measure that holds spending at 2016 levels, but that is likely to be modified to boost defense spending.
McConnell said a House-Senate conference is “making important progress” on a compromise bill authorizing fiscal 2017 defense spending as well as a separate measure authorizing funding for federal water projects.
Senate lawmakers will vote on a medical research bill that has bipartisan support and great interest from the White House, McConnell said. The 21st Century Cures bill includes provisions that would promote innovations such as regenerative medicine.
The Senate is also expected to take up a House-passed measure that extends the authority needed to re-impose sanctions against Iran and may consider the Energy Policy Modernization Act, which is under negotiation between the House and Senate.
The Senate is scheduled to adjourn for the year on Dec. 17, but GOP aides said lawmakers could leave sooner if work is completed.
