Congress coming back, must act to avoid shutdown

WASHINGTON (AP) — Lawmakers are streaming back to Capitol Hill this week for an abbreviated September session after their summer break.

Feuding Democratic and Republican leaders are promising action to prevent a government shutdown while holding votes aimed at defining the parties for the fall campaign.

Republicans control the House and want to pad their 17-vote majority, so they intend to follow this simple rule: first, do no harm.

Last fall, they sparked a partial government shutdown over the implementation of President Barack Obama's health law.

Now, Republicans are pressing for drama-free passage of a temporary spending bill to prevent a shutdown at month's end and fund government agencies into mid-December.

The Senate is sure to go along if the measure is kept free of objectionable add-ons.