Democrats are preparing to take control of both chambers of Congress in January 2027 after a decisive midterm victory. Their first challenge is to agree on a funding plan before a December 11 deadline, while deciding how far to confront President Donald Trump and where cooperation might be possible.

A budget deadline and a divide over Iran

Democratic leaders are weighing a temporary extension of federal funding through March or April, Politico reported, as a way to avoid a government shutdown and a direct budget clash with Trump and Republicans. The deadline is less than a month away.

But Democrats are divided over funding for the war in Iran. Some lawmakers face pressure to use budget approval to push for an end to the conflict, while party leaders want their first days in power to focus on the cost of living rather than a budget confrontation, Politico reported. House Democratic leader Hakeem Jeffries, who is expected to become speaker, has said the party opposed the war from the start and is assessing possible options.

Trump, meanwhile, directed Vice President JD Vance on November 12 to shift attention from Iran to domestic issues, including crime and corruption in Democratic-led states, the Associated Press reported. Trump has also said the United States does not need an agreement with Iran and that the military conflict has effectively ended.

Leadership contest and calls for oversight

The party is also facing a contest over who will lead Senate Democrats. Senator Chris Van Hollen announced on November 12 that he would challenge Chuck Schumer, the incumbent leader. CNN reported that Van Hollen wants a tougher approach toward Israel than Schumer’s comparatively supportive stance. Schumer has said he is confident Democrats’ election performance will give him enough backing in an internal vote expected in early December.

Some House Democrats have called for the impeachment or removal of Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Party leaders have cautioned that launching impeachment proceedings in January could distract from other priorities, Politico reported. Representative Adam Smith has urged Democrats to discuss an appropriate course, while Jeffries has said Hegseth should leave office. The sources do not report that formal impeachment proceedings have begun.

Democrats are also weighing investigations into the Trump administration. Người Việt reported that possible early targets could include members of Trump’s family, Health Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr. and Elon Musk. These are reported plans under consideration, not findings of wrongdoing or confirmation that inquiries have formally started.

Room for cooperation?

Democrats say their early legislative focus will include consumer prices and health-care costs, Reuters reported. Trump has said he is willing to work with Democrats on health care and drug prices, but has also warned that he would veto legislation if they refused to work with him. His veto power means Democratic control of Congress alone will not guarantee that bills become law.

Jeffries has left open the possibility of working with Republicans where possible. Senator-elect James Talarico has called for cooperation with Trump, and Michigan senator-elect Abdul El-Sayed has proposed a universal health-care plan he calls TrumpCare. Whether such proposals can win support from the White House remains uncertain as Democrats prepare to take power.