Government Shutdown Unlikely Until January

The government has passed a continuing resolution to fund the government into January, avoiding a shutdown threat over the holidays. Some key appropriations bills will need to be negotiated in January, such as the Agriculture Bill, Energy Bill, Milcon, and A Bill. The more challenging appropriations bills, including defense, labor, HHS, homeland, immigration, interior, and environment, will be dealt with by February. Compromise will be needed, as Democrats and Republicans have different budget numbers. Another potential shutdown situation will emerge in January before the February 2nd deadlines.