First order of business is unfinished business [Video]

While the president-elect continues to nominate prospective members of his incoming administration, the outgoing Congress faces a hectic sprint to complete a long list of unmet legislative duties before their pre-Christmas adjournment.

And, despite post-election distractions and the fast-approaching holidays, GOP House members need to do as much as possible now before their skinny three-vote majority slips to two or even one as a trio of colleagues depart to serve in the Trump Administration.

The biggest of these uncompleted big jobs is the not-yet-passed federal budget. Congress bandaged the 2024-25 funding fight with a continuing resolution, or CR, until Dec. 20 rather than enter a budget brawl just as the 2024 campaign season approached its stride in late September.

But the brawling season has returned and few Republicans want the still-hanging CR to be the Trump Administration’s first fight in January. As such, most Capitol Hill watchers expect congressional leaders …