It's almost the deadline, darling
EDITOR'S NOTE
Hello,
The government is set to run out of funding at the end of today. Normally that would be the biggest item on their agenda. This year, that's just one of the deadlines lawmakers face with the holiday season in high gear.
While the House has passed a measure to avoid a shutdown, the Senate has yet to do so as self-styled fiscal hawk Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., digs in his heels. And this is just a one-week funding extension, to buy time for Congress to reach a longer-term spending pact. So even if they avert a shutdown tonight, lawmakers will be back at it again next week.
Then there are the Covid relief talks. Earlier this week, it looked hopeful that Congress would come through for Americans before several financial support programs run out at the end of the year. A bipartisan group of senators came together to formulate a $908 billion package that won support from Democratic leaders. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., however, threw cold water on the plan. He has reportedly said he couldn't get support from the GOP caucus. Meanwhile, the House has adjourned until Tuesday.
And so it's another day of gridlock in Washington. It couldn't come at a worse time. Coronavirus cases are skyrocketing. Deaths are rising. The employment picture is looking worse. Americans can't afford to wait much longer for Congress to act.
Thoughts? Email Mike Calia at CNBCPolitics@nbcuni.com.
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