A short-term CR passed Congress late Thursday, a move that keeps the government operating until December 22^nd.  There is still no new money, though, and all last week’s Congressional game of “kick the (budget) can” really did is set up a Christmas-week crisis.  There is no clear way forward right now for a permanent FY’18 appropriation measure.  House Republicans want to pass a full funding bill for DOD, but such a measure is unlikely to pass the Senate.  Congressional Democrats want an agreement on immigration, but Republicans want to tackle that issue separately.  Myriad other issues are also in play.  The real question to which no one really has the answer is, “Do Congressional leaders want a deal, or a campaign issue?”  Deals can be had if that’s the priority.  So, too, can a shutdown that would provide fodder for political point scoring as legislators return to their states and districts for the holiday break.  The bottom line for contractors is:  Don’t pack up early and leave for the holidays.  While it appears unlikely that we could still have a shut-down this calendar year, anything is possible at this writing.  The most likely scenario?  Congress decides to pass yet another stop-gap measure right around the 22^nd that will take the government well into January or February with no “permanent” appropriations on tap until that time.  Make sure that you and your government customers are prepared.