Another Deadline Looms Over Shutdown Talks: Congress Tracker

The question of how to reopen the government is only part of the equation befuddling Congress. They also have to figure out for how long.

The answer could decide whether lawmakers use one of their most influential powers or hand more authority to the White House as they try to emerge from the standoff.

Here’s the dilemma: the House-passed funding bill (H.R. 5371) that would fund and reopen the government lasts only until Nov. 21.

That seemed fine when the House passed it in September, but it’s now less than a month away, which means that even if ...