If the midterms end in an L for Republicans, Sen. Bernie Moreno (R-Ohio) thinks Congress should cancel their holiday plans and get back to work. Real talk: Moreno is calling for a full-court press in the lame-duck session between the November election and the start of the new Congress, suggesting lawmakers stay on the clock from Nov. 9 through Dec. 31 if they lose their majorities. “Like, we'll have turkeys here for Thanksgiving,” Moreno said. ## The Game Plan The strategy revolves around a massive reconciliation bill—a legislative shortcut that only requires a simple majority to pass. Moreno told reporters that if they lose the House and Senate, this becomes their 'Last Supper' to lock in every Republican priority they can manage. It’s giving high-stakes energy because the GOP has struggled to unite for a megabill in the past, and leadership isn’t exactly feeling confident they can pull it off now. Sen. Ron Johnson (R-Wis.), chair of the Budget Committee, confirmed that his office is already working with the White House and House members to see what they can package together for a potential final push. ## The Obstacles Even if they want to move fast, the path forward is messy. You’ve got Senate holdouts like John Cornyn, Thom Tillis, Bill Cassidy, and Mitch McConnell—who are leaving soon anyway—plus Sens. Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, who aren't afraid to break from the party line. Beyond the politics, there’s a massive to-do list: funding the government past Dec. 11, tackling the debt ceiling, passing a farm bill, and handling defense spending. ## The Pentagon’s Wishlist A huge part of this maneuver is about cash for the administration’s defense goals. We’re talking about massive funding for the 'Golden Dome' missile defense system, new autonomous weapons, and upgrades to F-35 fighter jets. Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth recently told an Army conference that the Pentagon needs a cool $350 billion at a minimum to 'rebuild the military.' ## Why it matters If Republicans do lose the Senate, Moreno is the one likely tapped to win it back, as he is currently the only person running for chair of the National Republican Senatorial Committee. This proposed holiday lockdown is essentially his first test to see if he can force unity in a party that has been famously fractured on big-ticket spending.