WASHINGTON—The 118th Congress is wrapping up, but it isn’t quite vacation time yet. Before the House and Senate depart for their Christmas break, they will have to pass crucial spending legislation to avoid a government shutdown on Dec. 20, when current government funding expires.
What might that look like this year?
Government spending is almost always a contentious process. Twelve appropriations bills must run the gauntlet and pass both chambers of Congress. The House has passed five, but none have made it through the Senate.
Further complicating matters, the House versions are different from those in the Senate, which will require many last-minute compromises….