Posted by Kristin Oberlander - Congress returns this week to Washington, D.C. for the first time since the midterm elections. After nearly a month and a half of pre- and post-election leave, lawmakers will finish the rest of their legislative duties for 2010, with breaks for Thanksgiving and Christmas. This is called the "lame duck" session, since some members will not be returning for the 112th Congress in January.
The list of pending legislative action items includes agreeing on a 2011 budget and addressing various expiring tax provisions. These are likely to be taken up in the weeks after Thanksgiving. This week, the body is busy with new-member orientation and training workshops so that the 112th can get off to a productive start.
Both parties will hold elections for key leadership posts today. John Boehner, R-Ohio, is expected to be elected as House Majority Leader and Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., is running for the position of Minority Leader. The Senate yesterday elected Harry Reid, D-Nev., as Majority Leader and Mitch McConnell, R-Ky, as Minority Leader.