Congress returns for a brutal lame duck: Dec. 11 shutdown deadline, a leadership fight and Democrats eyeing the Iran war as leverage

Lawmakers are back on Capitol Hill this week for the first time since the midterms, and Republicans have a long to-do list before Democrats take power in January, Fox News Digital reports.

Federal funding runs out on Dec. 11. Without a deal, the government could shut down again. Some Democrats have told POLITICO they could use President Trump's war in Iran as leverage in the spending talks. One House Republican told Fox News Digital they expect another short-term extension, a continuing resolution, through February or March. "No one wants a shutdown, I would think," that Republican said. "Not even Dems."

Congress also has to deal with the farm bill, a transportation infrastructure bill, the SAVE America Act and a bipartisan tax package before the end of the year, with a debt ceiling deadline coming in January.

Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) compared the lame duck to a closet everyone has been stuffing things into: "now we got to figure out how to get it all out of there."

First up is leadership. Senate Majority Leader John Thune is running unopposed for now for minority leader. In the House, Majority Leader Steve Scalise faces Judiciary Committee Chairman Jim Jordan for minority leader.

"It's going to feel like a funeral," Rep. Nicole Malliotakis (R-N.Y.) said. Rep. Marlin Stutzman (R-Ind.) said the party has to unify fast: "If we're not paying attention to the American people, and we're focusing on leadership positions and personality fights, we're gonna continue to lose."