THE NEXT BATTLES IN CONGRESS
End of February: The Treasury Department will exhaust its ability to extend the nation's $16.4 trillion debt ceiling. At that point, the government will not be able to pay its bills unless Congress votes to raise the nation's legal borrowing limit.
Early March: Deadline to deal with $110 billion cut in spending that was delayed under the fiscal cliff deal.
March 27: A short-term measure that funds government agencies will lapse. Without a renewal, the government will shut down.
