I had a feeling when Congress passed a continuing resolution (CR) last month that funded the federal government for only 30 days that they'd be back to pass another one. And so they did.

Yesterday, the House and the Senate both passed the Interior-Environment appropriations bill conference report, and with it, a second continuing resolution (CR) that will continue to keep the federal government operating through Dec. 18.

The Interior-Environment bill is only the fifth appropriations bill completed this year in Congress (out of twelve). Although the second CR provides more time for appropriators to try to finish all twelve bills, some in Congress are already hinting that an omnibus bill may be necessary before the year is out.

(click to enlarge)