Government Shutdown on the Line for September Session

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.