WASHINGTON (NEXSTAR) – Congress is back in Washington and lawmakers have a long to-do list before they adjourn for the year that includes avoiding a government shutdown.
Congress only has about three weeks before the government runs out of money.
“We’re at the beginning of what will be a very busy December,” said Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.).
From keeping the government open to funding the military and passing a major agricultural farm bill Congress has a lot to do and less than three weeks to get it all done.
“Let’s be absolutely clear, December drama is not the way to demonstrate we’re serious about our most basic governing responsibilities,” said Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.).
Priority one remains funding the government to avoid a shutdown which is set to happen December 20th.
“Both sides are making progress in negotiating on a bill that can pass the House and Senate with bipartisan support,” said Schumer.
In all likelihood, Congress will pass a short-term continuing resolution punting a long-term fix to the next Congress in January.
“At this late hour, we’ll have to act on legislation that comes to us over from the House,” said McConnell.
Congress also has to pass the annual National Defense Authorization Act, or NDAA, to fund the military.
“The NDAA has been passed without fail for decades with the cooperation from both sides, and I hope this year is no exception,” said Schumer.
On top of all that more emergency relief money is still needed for parts of the country hit hard by natural disasters like hurricanes.
“We should come together again at the end of the year to get disaster aid done, or we may not be ready to respond the next time Mother Nature wreaks havoc in our communities,” said Schumer.
Senate Democrats are also racing to confirm as many federal judges as possible before Republicans take control of the Senate in January.
