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Republicans are returning to work this week, facing the prospect of an especially lame lame-duck session after a bruising midterm election that set off a countdown clock on their control of Congress. Why it matters: Democrats have little incentive to help Republicans advance their agenda before January, while departing GOP lawmakers could complicate matters further by skipping votes or defying party leaders. As a result, most of the items on their to-do list could get kicked to the new Congress. That's aside from a few items House GOP leaders would rather avoid altogether: another Jeffrey Epstein bill and an impeachment vote . Lawmakers also have just over a month before another potential government funding lapse. Driving the news: Rep. Thomas Massie — who GOP voters kicked to the curb in favor of a more Trump-aligned Republican — is pushing another Epstein-related vote, an additional headache for the administration and GOP leaders. He also plans to try to force a vote this week on his impeachment resolution against Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth. Republicans lose their House and Senate majorities Jan. 3, ending their ability to set both chambers' legislative agendas. Reality check: Trump still wields the presidential veto power. Rodell Mollineau, a Democratic strategist and former communications director for the late Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, said Democrats may postpone some legislative fights until January, when they'll have more negotiating leverage. "I think there's some things that Democrats would be happy to kick down the road," he said. Yes, but: Congress still faces major legislative hurdles. Lawmakers need to pass the annual National Defense Authorization Act, potentially setting up a fight over the Iran war as some Republicans grow more willing to criticize the conflict. A bipartisan permitting bill could overhaul how energy and infrastructure projects are approved. Senate Republicans are also racing to confirm more Trump administration officials