T'here were predictions of brinkman-ship, recrimination and, in all likelihood, a shutdown of much of the federal government. But in the end, ahead of schedule and with near unanimity, Congress agreed this week on a "continuing resolution", meaning a temporary measure to finance the government in lieu of a fully fledged budget. The day of reckoning, however, has only been postponed, and by a mere two weeks at that. By March 18th the Republican-controlled House of Repre sentatives and the Democrat-controlled Senate must agree on another spending measure, or the non-essential bits of the government will have to shut up shop.
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