Lawmakers on Capitol Hill returned for the post-election lame-duck season on Monday, as Democrats and Republicans are still feeling the aftershocks of the midterm elections.

Democrats will control the Senate. Republicans have the lead in House races, but neither party has reached the 218 required for a majority.

The to-do list has grown long during the several weeks that lawmakers were on the campaign trail.

There are key agenda items and bills to vote for before the new Congress term begins in January. On the itinerary of lame-duck bills are the National Defense Authorization Act, government-funding agreements, federal recognition of same-sex marriage, and the conclusion to the Jan. 6 investigations.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, a Democrat from New York, told reporters at a press conference Sunday that this end-of-year session will be "as productive a lame-duck session as possible" and told his colleagues to be prepared to work "long hours"."

Schumer said that he would talk to his party members and the Republican representatives to do as much work as possible throughout the rest of the session.

Sen Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he is confident he will remain in power as the top Senate Republican.

"We need to move forward," said Sen. John Thune, R-S.D.

Thune predicted that McConnell will be re-elected as leader.

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