The continuing resolution, which allows the government to continue operating and spending money. Remember last week they pulled the Omnibus spending bill? That was the appropriations bill for 2011 (which actually started in October). Without an appropriations bill, or a CR, the government isn’t funded. The CR just authorizes spending at last year’s level. They will have to pass another CR (they are working under a brief one right now) to get the government through to the third week in January, when the new Congress convenes. If he slipped it into a CR, that is where it will be.
OK - got it - Thanks!