ONE of the most unpopular US Congresses in modern history returns on Monday from a five-week recess, facing a crush of big tasks, few of which will likely get done. Lawmakers are expected to be in Washington for only about two weeks between now and the Nov. 6 election, making their return to the capital little more than a pit stop.

“Everyone wants to get out of town — fast,” said a top Senate aide, voicing the sentiment on both sides of the political aisle.

Quickie sessions are the rule rather than the exception in election years, and lawmakers may be around just long enough to approve a must-pass spending bill to keep the government running before racing home to campaign for their seats.

This year they do will so as voters seem more frustrated than ever with their partisan gridlock. Unfinished business on Capitol Hill includes bills to overhaul the massive farm law, improve cyber security for the nation’s critical infrastructure, downsize the ailing postal service, and normalize trade with Russia.

The most urgent item — making sure Congress does not trigger a recession early next year — is by all accounts on hold until after the election, when lawmakers will attempt to head off trouble of their own making: Tax increases and automatic spending cuts that threaten to send the United States over what’s been called “a fiscal cliff.”

Corporate leaders say the uncertainty surrounding this single issue is already weighing on business decisions, particularly in the defense industry. A preventable recession, induced by a forewarned Congress, would be a first. Most still believe lawmakers will avoid going over the cliff, some how, some way.

“My faith in Congress is pretty minimal,” said Dan Ripp of Bradley Woods, a New York-based public policy research firm.

“But members of Congress are excellent at self-preservation and that is why I think they will do something to avoid ‘the cliff’ and voter backlash,” Ripp said. Nevertheless, any progress may depend on how party leaders analyze the results of the election contest between President Barack Obama and Republican challenger Mitt Romney.

Lawmakers will calculate whether they have something to gain — or lose — by waiting until the convening of a new Congress in January to deal with tax and spending issues.

Thus a pre-election paralysis has taken hold on top of the gridlock that has afflicted Washington since the 2010 election, when Democrats lost control of the House of Representatives and government became officially divided along party lines.

Just 61 bills have become law in 2012, the fewest in a year in more than 60 years, according to records compiled by the House clerk’s office.