Votes, deadlines and leadership fights
Live issues
Each one has a date, where our officials stand in their own words, and what's likely to happen next. Anything within 7 days gets a countdown.
Speaker of the House
Hakeem Jeffries is the only declared candidate to be the next Speaker. House Democrats first pick their nominee in a private, secret-ballot caucus vote. Then the full House elects the Speaker in a public vote on January 3, 2027, where the vote of every member is recorded and the winner needs a majority of those voting for a named person (218 if all 435 vote).
Ban stock trading by members of Congress through House and Senate rules
Members of Congress can still own and trade individual stocks. In July 2026 the House passed a partial ban, 232 to 198. On Sept. 30 the Senate fell seven votes short of the 60 needed to take it up. Every bill that has not become law dies on Jan. 3, so the new Congress has to start over. On Nov. 4, Hakeem Jeffries told House Democrats a ban on members trading stocks is part of their agenda.
Senate Democrats pick their majority leader
Senate Democrats elect their leader for the new majority in a closed-door, secret-ballot vote expected in early December. Chuck Schumer needs a simple majority of the caucus, projected at 54 to 56 senators.