Government funding, border wall await lame-duck Congress

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WASHINGTON (AP) — A week after midterm elections, Congress returns to a changed political landscape with incumbents squaring off ahead of a possible government shutdown and Republicans and Democrats electing new leadership in the House and Senate.

Voters ended eight years of House Republican control and created a new political dynamic that’s challenging President Donald Trump even before the 116th Congress starts in January.

As the lame-duck session gets underway, lawmakers must agree to a funding bill to prevent a partial government shutdown from beginning on Dec. 7. Republicans are expected to push for funding for Trump’s proposed border wall with Mexico while Democrats are likely to seek protections for the special counsel’s Russia probe.

Dozens of new House lawmakers and a handful of new senators are in town for orientation.

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