Last week, the Senate passed the spending bill with an 87-11 tally, ending the threat of a government shutdown until after the holidays. The spending package keeps government funding at current levels for roughly two more months, while a long-term package is negotiated. The ‘laddered’ continuing resolution splits the deadlines for passing full-year appropriations bills into two dates: January 19 for some federal agencies (HUD included) and February 2 for others, creating two deadlines where there is a risk of a partial government shutdown.