Happy Friday, dear readers!

At about 3:00pm today you probably got all sorts of excited knowing that the weekend is almost here. Members of Congress, on the other hand, not so much. A continuing resolution to pass provide funding for the next fiscal year has not passed both Chambers of Congress, so they’ve got that hanging over their heads.

National Journal: Drama Intensifies Over Government Funding and Debt Ceiling on Both Sides of Capitol

Politico: House GOP Banking on Plan C

And then there are the polls to worry about. The ever-to-be read Charlie Cook argues that both parties are in jeopardy, not just Republicans, as many think.

National Journal: Why Both Parties Will Lose in the Fiscal Battles

Things have gotten so bad that the Senate Chaplain is specifically praying for a resolution to these problems. (Although this has made the news, it’s probably hardly newsworthy. As we write in Surviving Inside Congress, Ben Franklin, at the Constitutional Convention, suggested hiring a chaplain to help the delegates compromise.)

WaPo: Senate Chaplain: “Lord, deliver us from governing by crisis”

Since many people reserve Sunday afternoon to mope about…we mean prepare for…the upcoming week, don’t forget to factor in a potential shutdown into your plans. Sorry, no Kobuk Valley National Park for you!

Wall Street Journal: What to Expect When You’re Expecting a Shutdown