Don Wolfensberger at The Hill:
The lame-duck Congress over the next two months is not expected to produce any dramatic major final acts. One benefit of the lame duck period though is the opportunity for transition planning, especially for the new Congress and, in a quadrennium, for the new administration. Members are already putting in their bids for new committee assignments and the parties are preparing their legislative agendas and House rules packages.
The presidential transition teams are vetting their loyalists for potential Cabinet and subcabinet officers just as Senate committees are already gearing-up for confirmation hearings. Moreover, presidents-elect appreciate the opportunity to meet with key congressional leaders and committee chairs to concoct and coordinate their legislative initiatives for the next Congress to consider.
So, the lame duck transition period is not a waste of time or energy by any means, though most members are chomping at the bit as the holidays approach just to get out of town, with some measure of dignity still intact, and reunite with their families and constituents.