Special Report: Beyond the Shutdown Deadline — The Farm Bill, the Defense Bill and Everything Else That Runs Out Dec. 31
Congress returns Monday with a Dec. 11 funding deadline grabbing the headlines. But America's farmers, troops, doctors and exporters have their own clocks ticking. Here is the full year-end board: what has already lapsed, what expires Dec. 31, what could pass and what conservatives should fight for.
By Clara Hughes
Lawmakers return to Washington on Monday, Nov. 9, for the final weeks of a Republican-controlled Congress. Everyone knows about the Dec. 11 government funding deadline. Far fewer Americans know how much else is quietly running out. The farm bill has already lapsed. The annual defense bill is stuck. A long list of health, trade and farm programs expires at midnight on Dec. 31. And Republicans have precious little floor time left before Democrats take control of both chambers on Jan. 3. "Republicans only have 20 legislative days left this Congress to lock in America First wins and take away leverage points from the Democrats. Leave nothing on the table," Georgia Rep. Andrew Clyde posted Friday, according to The Center Square. Keep reading with Altas Premium. Below: the farm bill standoff over SNAP, where the defense bill stands, the Dec. 31 cliff for Medicare doctors and community health centers, the Ex-Im Bank and farm