Lawmakers are returning to Washington on Sept. 9 under pressure to avert a government shutdown as both parties prepare for an election season spending fight.
After a full month away from the capital, lawmakers have just 21 days to come to an agreement to keep the government open before the Sept. 30 funding deadline. Should they fail to reach an agreement, the government will go into a full or partial shutdown beginning at 12 a.m. ET on Oct. 1.
Last week, Rep. Clay Higgins (R-La.) introduced legislation to keep the government funded through March 2025 with the backing of House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.). But certain provisions in that proposal have already been deemed unacceptable by many Democrats….