Here's a familiar story: Congress has to act fast or risk blowing past a major fiscal deadline.
According to Treasury Secretary Jack Lew, the U.S. will hit the debt ceiling on Nov. 3. And shortly after that, a budget deadline also looms, on Dec. 11. Congressional leaders are nearing a deal on both, as NPR's Susan Davis reports.
If you're confused over what exactly Capitol Hill is fighting about and why, check out our explanation below:
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