Congress Struggling to Conclude Lame Duck Session - December 14, 2010

While the “Doc Fix” has now been taken care of, Congress is still working to pass other critical legislation including an extension to tax cuts enacted under President George W. Bush and Fiscal Year 2011 funding for the federal government. The current Continuing Resolution (CR) funding the federal government expires on Dec. 18. The House passed a full-year CR on Dec. 8. Senate leaders are hoping to substitute the House CR for a larger omnibus appropriations bill. It is not yet clear whether the Senate has the votes for an omnibus. Republican leaders in both chambers are arguing for a short-term CR to fund the government until early next year, when they will have a greater opportunity to affect the final funding levels. While both chambers were hoping to finish the lame duck session at the end of this week, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has told senators to expect to remain in session until these and other legislative priorities are finished.