Congress will return on November 9, following the midterm elections, for a lame-duck session before the 119th Congress concludes in early January 2027. Lawmakers will face a busy legislative agenda, including unfinished business involving federal spending, national defense, infrastructure programs, and potentially tax and regulatory legislation.

First and foremost, Congress must pass the remaining FY 2027 appropriations bills or another continuing resolution before the December 11 deadline to avoid a federal government shutdown. Lawmakers also face deadlines for extending certain surface transportation and agricultural programs. Other priorities include finalizing the annual National Defense Authorization Act, addressing expiring Farm Bill provisions, and potentially considering bipartisan legislation to streamline permitting and environmental reviews for infrastructure and energy projects.

For NASBP, a key legislative priority will be the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2026. The House passed its version of WRDA in September by an overwhelming bipartisan vote of 415–9, while the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee approved its version in July. When Congress returns, House and Senate negotiators are expected to work toward reconciling the two measures and reaching agreement on final legislation.

During this process, NASBP will continue advocating for the inclusion of provisions from the bipartisan Water Infrastructure Subcontractor and Taxpayer Protection Act, reintroduced as S. 570 and H.R. 1285. This legislation would strengthen payment protections under the Water Infrastructure Finance and Innovation Act (WIFIA) program by requiring appropriate payment security, including surety bonds, for federally financed water infrastructure projects, including public-private partnerships (P3s). NASBP will continue working with congressional offices to secure these protections in the final WRDA legislation.

The outcome of the November 3 elections will also influence the legislative strategy during the lame-duck session. If Republicans retain control of both chambers, congressional leaders may seek to complete appropriations and other outstanding priorities before the new Congress convenes. Conversely, if Democrats gain control of one or both chambers, lawmakers may face additional pressure to defer certain legislative decisions until January 2027. Regardless of the election results, the limited number of legislative days remaining in the 119th Congress will make it challenging to complete all outstanding business. For NASBP, securing WIFIA bonding protections in the final WRDA package will remain a central advocacy priority during the lame-duck session.