A Shutdown Is Closer Than It May Appear

Punchbowl News: “We’re not being histrionic, but Congress seems to be stumbling into a shutdown, despite one-party control of Washington.”

“The Senate is likely to wait until Monday to vote on the House-passed government funding bill, which would keep agencies open until Dec. 3. Because that legislation includes a provision suspending the debt limit until December 2022, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell and his GOP colleagues will block it from being considered.”

“That leaves just three days for the congressional leaders and the White House to find a way to keep the government open. Congress could pass a temporary funding extension to ensure federal agencies remain open while a longer-term funding bill — sans the debt limit — is cobbled together.”

“But the debt limit issue still has to be dealt with, and that could take several weeks if Democrats choose to go it alone.”