So far, the length of the lame-duck session in the House stands at a half an hour of floor time. And that could be it.

Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) gaveled in Wednesday to take up two matters before recessing the chamber: a moment of silence for soldiers killed in Iraq and Afghanistan, and the swearing in of Rep. Marcia Fudge (D-Ohio). Fudge is filling the seat left vacant by the late-Rep. Stephanie Tubbs Jones (D-Ohio).

The House may not return to work this week if Senate Democrats are unable to muster support for a $25 billion loan for the auto industry. House Democratic leaders are watching to see if the Senate can pass the measure before going into session to take it up.