The deadline for the current continuing resolution (CR) is rapidly approaching, and unless action is taken by the 22nd of November, the government could face another costly shut-down. The Senate is expected to avert this entire mess by passing a fifth CR which will fund operations at their current levels until January 11th. Right now, with both legislatures still divided, GOP leaders would prefer to use the CR method and then assume control of appropriations once the new Congress is in place. Even if the CR manages to pass, however, many agencies have already begun to trim back expenditures because they had counted on the next fiscal year's budget to be in place by this time. A Post article outlines the trouble with some departments who were promised money to help deal with ongoing security concerns in a variety of areas, yet have received little or nothing to date. The growing consensus appears to be that even if the difference between House and Senate discretionary spending amounts is resolved (the House approved $749 billion as its spending limit, while the Senate passed $759 billion) no new, non-defense related appropriation bills will be passed.