Live updates: Congress faces crunch time on must-pass bills; Trump Cabinet picks woo senators
It's set to be a busy day on Capitol Hill as Congress races to wrap up major, must-pass legislation and President-elect Trump's Cabinet picks make their case to senators.
In the House, lawmakers are slated to vote on the annual defense policy bill known as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The mammoth bill is normally a bipartisan undertaking, but this year's version contains some GOP-led amendments pertaining to culture war issues that are sparking opposition among Democrats.
In the Senate, some of Trump's most contested picks for his administration, including Tulsi Gabbard for director of national intelligence, Pete Hegseth for Defense secretary and Kash Patel to lead the FBI, are trying to woo senators, including some skeptical Republicans.
Patel has threatened to use the FBI's power to scrutinize news outlets critical of Trump's incoming administration, which have sent a chill through the media.
And both chambers have just nine days to agree to a deal on government funding and disaster aid and pass the measure before the Dec. 20 shutdown deadline.
Follow along with live updates below.