With only a few weeks of meetings left for Congress before the close of the year, members of the Senate and House of Representatives have some important items to deal with. The continuing resolution that extends appropriation bills to facilitate the smooth functioning of many government programs and agencies will expire on December 3, 2010. Congress may elect to renew (or fail to renew) each of the remaining appropriations bills individually or pass an omnibus bill that will dedicate over $1 trillion to government programs.

One item that might potentially be included in an omnibus appropriations bill is the extension of the surface transportation funding, which is set to expire on December 31. If not included in an omnibus measure, the funding may be extended via a single-measure bill that will provide at least another six months of funding for surface transportation projects. Likewise, an extension for aviation funding is also set to expire on December 31 and will require a further extension via either inclusion in an omnibus appropriations bill or a potentially more difficult to pass single-issue bill. While Congress has these transportation-related issues to address, many will also be watching closely to see what is decided with regards to the Bush tax cuts, Medicare and unemployment extensions that will also expire before the new year.