BISMARCK, N.D. (KFYR) – The government will face another shutdown in five weeks and members just returned from a month-long break. Both sides are trying to reach an agreement before the December 20 deadline.

Sen. Kevin Cramer said it’s his understanding that all four corners of leadership in each chamber of the party are discussing some sort of omnibus spending bill. He added that depending on how the negotiations go, they could probably introduce appropriations bills within a few weeks.

“And if this doesn’t go well, we’ll probably end up with a continuing resolution next year, and I sincerely hope we can avoid that,” Cramer said.

House Speaker Mike Johnson has reportedly not yet announced what the House’s plans are. Many Republicans have said they prefer Johnson strike a spending deal with Democrats during the lame-duck Congress. But many conservatives are urging the Republican Party to pull out all the stops until President-elect Trump takes the reins in 2025. Pushing this funding fight to next year would give Mr. Trump far greater influence.

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