The US Congress is struggling again today to reach a budget deal that would avoid a federal government shutdown, a week before the deadline and as the end of the year holidays approach.

Members of Congress must until December 20 to pass a measure to fund, even temporarily, federal public services, without the US facing the so-called “shut down”.

The stake: to avoid the possibility of hundreds of thousands of civil servants being made redundant, social benefits being “frozen” or even some daycare centers being closed. An extremely unpleasant situation in the USA, especially in view of the holidays.

The Democratic Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer appealed yesterday for a “cooperation between the two parties” in order to reach an agreement without suddenly adding controversial provisions at the last minute.

“I am glad that the talks remain constructive up to this time. Negotiators are working around the clock to find an agreement.” added the Democrat.

Funding for federal agencies is a frequent bone of contention in the US, even within the Republican camp where infighting rages between moderate conservatives and Trump supporters who favor a drastic reduction of the federal government.

At the heart of the debate ahead of Dec. 20: more than $100 billion in disaster aid, which Joe Biden requested after two devastating hurricanes in September and October. A part of this 100 billion could be included in the temporary measure of fundingthough many Republicans oppose such an amountcomplicating negotiations.

The speaker of the House of Representatives, the Republican Mike Johnsonfavors the adoption of a limited budget, which will ensure the funding of the State only until March.

Republicans will regain control of the Senate in early January when new senators are sworn in, while Donald Trump he will return to the White House on January 20.

THE Mike Johnson argues that a limited measure in time would allow Republicans to more quickly pass a new budget that would fund his program donald trump, especially on the issues of immigrant deportations, oil exploitation and tax cuts.