"Congress Returns to Tackle Busy December Amid Looming Threat of GOP Government Shutdown"

The House GOP has omitted the appropriations bills from this week's agenda, increasing the likelihood of a government shutdown in mid-January. With only 16 legislative days left to find a solution, failure to act will result in a partial shutdown on January 19 and a full shutdown on February 2. The House Republicans have prioritized infighting over funding the government, and their divided caucus faces opposition from Democrats who oppose spending cuts. In addition to the appropriations bills, Congress also has other major legislative matters to address, including border security and foreign aid packages. The House GOP must also deal with the proposed expulsion of Representative George Santos, which could further jeopardize their ability to prevent a shutdown.