Lame Duck Session Begins

Politico: “Top on the to-do list for lawmakers is avoiding a government shutdown, as current funding runs dry on Dec. 11. Both sides want to pass an omnibus spending bill, as opposed to punting on the issue with another continuing resolution.”

Also: “It would be hard for lawmakers to leave town for the holidays without providing some much-needed relief for the American people. Democrats want to clear the decks for the incoming Biden administration, while Republicans think they’ll get a better deal with Trump still in the White House.”

“Yet a relief deal has remained elusive. Dems are still calling for trillions of dollars in new spending, while the GOP is still insistent on a targeted measure of around $500 billion. And Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell have yet to hold any new talks on an aid package.”