US struggles to avoid another government holiday shutdown

WASHINGTON (AP) — Congress is racing to close out a $1.1 trillion spending bill by Dec. 11 and avoid a holiday season government shutdown.
At issue are dozens of policy provisions attached to the 12 spending bills. When a bill has trouble advancing on its own, lawmakers often try to add it to the spending legislation.
For powerful interest groups such as banks, broadcasters and agribusiness, these so-called riders are often the last, best chance to push items on their agenda through Congre