As 2026 kicks off with dramatic international headlines—like the U.S. seizure of Venezuelan leader Nicolás Maduro and President Trump’s bold pledge to oversee the country—lawmakers in Washington are returning from their holiday break with a packed schedule. While the Venezuela situation grabs the spotlight, Congress faces a range of pressing domestic and global issues. Here’s a breakdown of five key priorities on their to-do list, highlighting what lawmakers must address in the coming weeks and months.
1. Overseeing U.S. Actions Abroad
With the Trump administration’s aggressive stance toward Venezuela, Congress is stepping up its oversight role. Lawmakers will demand briefings on critical questions: When might U.S. troops be deployed? Will American funds be used to rebuild Venezuela’s oil industry? And what does the future hold for the Venezuelan people under this new regime? These inquiries aim to ensure transparency and accountability in foreign policy decisions.
But Venezuela isn’t the only concern. The administration has issued threats against several other nations, including Colombia, Cuba, Greenland, Mexico, and Iran. Congress must stay engaged to monitor these potential flashpoints, preventing unchecked executive actions that could reshape international relations in the Western Hemisphere and beyond.
2. Preventing a Government Shutdown
A partial government shutdown looms at the end of the month when current funding expires, though few in Washington expect it to actually happen. Still, avoiding it requires navigating thorny disagreements, such as the duration of the next funding bill and specific budget cuts or additions pushed by various lawmakers.
On a brighter note, certain departments are already secure: The Departments of Veterans Affairs and Agriculture have funding locked in for the rest of the fiscal year. This ensures that veterans’ services continue uninterrupted and that benefits from the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (once called food stamps) keep supporting those in need, regardless of broader budget battles.
3. Addressing Health Care Challenges
The expiration of enhanced subsidies under the Affordable Care Act has left millions facing higher health insurance costs. Congress has a chance to act retroactively, and efforts are underway to restore these subsidies. In fact, a bill to extend them for three years is expected on the House floor this week, thanks to a bipartisan push from four Republicans joining Democrats to force the vote. It’s likely to pass in the House.
However, the Senate poses a major hurdle—similar legislation failed there last year. A small group of senators is engaged in cross-party talks to craft a compromise that could gain traction. Yet, success is uncertain: Even if something passes the Senate, reconciling it with the House version could prove difficult, leaving health care access in limbo for many Americans.
4. Deciding on Retirements
This Congress is already seeing a wave of retirements, potentially setting a near-record pace. With filing deadlines for elections approaching, members must soon choose whether to seek reelection or step aside. These decisions will shape the political landscape, influencing party strategies and the influx of new voices in Washington.
The uncertainty adds to the session’s tension, as retirements could open doors for fresh ideas but also disrupt ongoing legislative work. Lawmakers weighing their options must consider their legacies, party dynamics, and the demanding nature of public service in a polarized environment.
5. Confronting Long-Term Crises
Beyond immediate concerns, Congress must grapple with looming fiscal disasters that demand bold action. Social Security’s retirement trust fund and Medicare’s hospital insurance trust fund are projected to run dry in just eight years, threatening benefits for millions of retirees and straining the healthcare system.
Compounding this is the national debt, which is soaring to historic peacetime highs. These issues stem from years of inaction or poor decisions by lawmakers, and they’re loaded with political risks—especially for Republicans, who hold power but face vulnerabilities in the 2026 midterms. While bipartisan cooperation seems unlikely in this climate, ignoring these problems only worsens them. Addressing entitlement reforms and debt reduction should top the agenda, even if it means tough compromises.
In a year already defined by bold moves on the global stage, Congress’s domestic priorities reveal the balancing act required in governance. From averting shutdowns to securing the nation’s financial future, these tasks underscore the challenges of leadership in divided times. As events unfold, lawmakers’ responses will determine not just policy outcomes, but the stability of American institutions for years to come.
