Reporter's Notebook: Summer ends, but the Senate's fall crunch begins

It may be summer. But fall is consuming the United States Senate. Bipartisan lawmakers are trying to avoid a government shutdown . "The fiscal year begins October 1st each year," said Sen. Chuck Grassley, R-Iowa. "This resolution keeps the government open for business." The House approved an interim spending bill in July to keep the government funded through December 4. But bipartisan senators are trying to duck yet another protracted government shutdown odyssey, like last year’s 43-day exercise