Next week, Congress convenes for its “lame duck” session — the period after an election and before its final adjournment.

These sessions can produce surprises in the form of major enactments to deal with newly emerging crises. Usually, though, they are about wrapping up overdue appropriations bills to fund the government for the remainder of the fiscal year. That still involves plenty of legislative negotiations and bickering between the parties, the two houses and the administration. Once all those money matters are finalized, members are more than happy to leave town and enjoy the next few weeks at home.

Following Tuesday’s election, we know Donald Trump won the White House and the Republicans will gain control of the Senate. The House, which had been narrowly controlled by Republicans, remains too close to call. Party control of government from the top down has been tenuous at best. Consequently,........

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