CAPITOL HILL – Now that summer recess is over for Congress, lawmakers have a number of pressing legislative items facing them. Both chambers will only be in session for three weeks before taking another break in mid-October. One major item to watch is progress on a budget deal.

As the fiscal year winds down, the clock is ticking on funding the government.

"They either need to figure out a way to hash out another full-year budget or pass a stopgap measure to just kind of punt and give them more time to work out a longer deal," said Editor and Publisher of Inside Elections Nathan Gonzales. He says a deal won't likely happen without bringing a few Democratic senators on board, which could be met with opposition.

"Once again, we can expect another fight about government and spending, with

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