In December 2025, the 119th United States Congress is expected to focus on government funding and several specific expiring legislative provisions, including Affordable Care Act (ACA) subsidies and certain healthcare program extensions. Both the House and Senate have session days scheduled throughout the month.
Legislative
Calendar
According to the tentative calendars, Congress is scheduled to be in session for much of the month:
House and Senate: Both chambers are expected to be in session on December 1-4, 9-12, and 15-18, 2025.
Senate Only: The Senate has additional session days scheduled for December 5, 8, and 19.
Recess: A state work period (recess) is scheduled to begin on December 22, 2025, for the Christmas holiday.
Key
Issues and Legislation
The main legislative priorities for Congress in December 2025 are driven by pending deadlines and expiring legislation:
Government Funding and Potential Shutdown: A major focus will be on passing further continuing appropriations or full-year spending bills for Fiscal Year 2026. A government shutdown is a potential outcome if new funding legislation is not agreed upon, a scenario that was a point of contention earlier in 2025.
ACA Subsidies Extension: The expanded premium tax credits under the ACA are set to expire at the end of 2025. Congress will likely vote on a potential extension of these subsidies, a move that could significantly impact health insurance costs for millions of Americans.
Expiring Healthcare Programs: Various other healthcare program extensions are also on the agenda, which may be included as riders in larger legislative packages, similar to previous extensions in 2024.
Debt Limit: The debt ceiling is a continuous fiscal challenge. The government reached its debt limit earlier in 2025, and while it may have been temporarily suspended, ongoing discussions about government spending and borrowing limits will likely continue.
Permitting Reform: Lawmakers are working in committees on energy and environment priorities, with Republican and Democratic leaders hoping to make up ground on permitting reform legislation.
Farm
Bill: The 2018 Farm Bill has been operating on extensions, and discussions
regarding a new, full-fledged farm bill will be ongoing.
For the most up-to-date information on the legislative agenda, you can monitor the official calendars and information portals of the House and Senate:
In December 2025, a key issue Congress is expected to address is the potential for a government shutdown due to the expiration of temporary funding measures. Additionally, the Senate will vote on extending Affordable Care Act (ACA) tax subsidies, and a new farm bill will likely be a major point of discussion.
Key Legislative Issues
Government Funding and Potential Shutdown: The most immediate concern in December 2025 is the expiration of current government funding. Congress routinely faces challenges in passing all twelve annual appropriations bills, often relying on continuing resolutions (CRs) to avoid a government shutdown. A straightforward extension of the current funding or a larger, longer-term spending deal will be a primary focus of negotiations.
Affordable Care Act (ACA) Subsidies: The expanded ACA tax credits are set to expire at the end of 2025. The Senate has a scheduled vote on extending these subsidies by mid-December, a matter that could significantly impact health insurance costs for millions of Americans.
Farm Bill: The previous long-term farm bill, an expansive agriculture and food policy law, expired in 2023 and has been running on autopilot since. The 119th Congress has been challenged to reach a long-term agreement on this, and it is expected to be a major topic for debate and potential action in December 2025.
Other Potential Legislation: Congress may also work on other general legislative issues, including:
Tax Cut Extensions: Many provisions of the "Tax Cuts and Jobs Act" (TCJA) from 2017 are scheduled to expire, primarily in fiscal year 2026, which may prompt related discussions or legislative activity.
Permitting Reform: Lawmakers have expressed interest in making up ground on permitting reform legislation, which could see movement in the fall and potentially extend into December.
You can track specific bills and their progress on the official Congress.gov website. The House and Senate typically release their calendars in advance, which can be found via the House Press Gallery or the U.S. Senate websites, though floor schedules are subject to change based on negotiation progress.
https://www.google.com/search?q=what+will+congress+be+working+on+in+december+2025
Norb Leahy, Dunwoody GA Tea Party Leader
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