It's almost the deadline, darling

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VIEW IN BROWSER | SUBSCRIBE FRI, DEC 11, 2020 CNBC POLITICS EDITOR'S NOTE Hello,   The government is set to run out of funding at the end of today. Normally that would be the biggest item on their agenda. This year, that's just one of the deadlines lawmakers face with the holiday season in high gear.   While the House has passed a measure to avoid a shutdown, the Senate has yet to do so as self-styled fiscal hawk Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., digs in his heels. And this is just a one-week funding extension, to buy time for Congress to reach a longer-term spending pact. So even if they avert a shutdown tonight, lawmakers will be back at it again next week.   Then there are the Covid relief talks. Earlier this week, it looked hopeful that Congress would come through for Americans before several financial support programs run out at the end of the year. A bipartisan group of senators came together to formulate a $908 billion package that won support from Democratic leaders. Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., however, threw cold water on the plan. He has reportedly said he couldn't get support from the GOP caucus. Meanwhile, the House has adjourned until Tuesday.   And so it's another day of gridlock in Washington. It couldn't come at a worse time. Coronavirus cases are skyrocketing. Deaths are rising. The employment picture is looking worse. Americans can't afford to wait much longer for Congress to act.   Thoughts? Email Mike Calia at CNBCPolitics@nbcuni.com.   Have friends or colleagues who might like this newsletter? They can sign up here.    Subscribe to CNBC's daily new podcast The News with Shepard Smith, which provides deep, non-partisan coverage and perspective on the day's most important stories. Mike Calia @Michael_Calia KEY STORIES  McConnell rejects bipartisan Covid relief plan while House adjourns until next week Congress is trying to pass a coronavirus stimulus plan by the end of the year, but appears to be making little progress toward a relief deal. FDA chief says agency will quickly approve Pfizer's Covid vaccine for emergency use The authorization of the vaccine should come "in the next couple of days," Alex Azar, secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services, said on ABC's "Good Morning America." Biden will travel to Georgia to boost Democrats in crucial Senate runoff elections Joe Biden will campaign for Democrats Jon Ossoff and Raphael Warnock on Tuesday in Atlanta, Georgia, his first campaign trip as president-elect. Battleground states urge Supreme Court to reject Texas' bid to overturn Biden's wins Those states — Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin and Georgia — have all certified their Electoral College votes to Joe Biden over President Donald Trump. Biden secretary of State pick Blinken has ties to venture capital fund with national security portfolio A business advisory firm co-founded by Joe Biden's pick to run the State Department has ties to a little known venture capital fund. Biden picks more Obama veterans for key roles: Denis McDonough at VA and Susan Rice as domestic advisor The announcement of the latest batch of administration officials came less than six weeks before Biden officially replaces President Trump in the White House. Biden picks longtime China critic Katherine Tai as top U.S. trade official Tai would inherit a Cabinet-level position tasked with enforcing import rules and brokering trading terms with China. Supreme Court says Muslims placed on no-fly list can sue FBI agents for damages The Supreme Court ruled in favor of three Muslims who said they were placed on the no-fly list in retaliation for refusing to spy on their communities.     Unsubscribe Manage Newsletters Terms of Service Join the CNBC Panel Digital Products Feedback Privacy Policy   © 2020 CNBC LLC. All rights reserved. A property of NBCUniversal. 900 Sylvan Avenue, Englewood Cliffs, NJ 07632 Data is a real-time snapshot *Data is delayed at least 15 minutes. Global Business and Financial News, Stock Quotes and Market Data and Analysis. Data also provided by THOMSON REUTERS