Congress Scrambles to Prevent December Government Shutdown

As the December 20 deadline for a government shutdown approaches, Congress is considering a continuing resolution (CR) to fund the government into March. Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) may need Democratic support to pass the CR, as Republicans lack the Senate majority to bypass a filibuster. Disaster aid funding is a contentious issue, with some Republicans opposing additional spending. A shutdown would affect non-essential federal employees and could disrupt holiday travel, as air traffic controllers and TSA officers would work without pay.