The clock is ticking toward a September 30 deadline to fund the government, and even with a possible deal to avert a lapse in funding, parts of the US government will start the behind-the-scenes process of preparing for a potential shutdown.

Congress must find a path forward on federal funding this week or risk a partial government shutdown just five weeks before Election Day.

Congress enters its final scheduled week of work before the November elections with a plan to avoid a government shutdown next month but only a few days left on the calendar to get it passed. On Sunday,