Five things to watch as Congress braces for end-of-the-year shutdown fight

Congress is barreling toward a looming deadline to prevent a partial government shutdown.

Negotiators say they don’t want to kick the funding fight to next year, but lawmakers will have just 10 scheduled work days to strike a deal by the Dec. 7 deadline.

Significant political clashes are shadowing the funding battle.

Republicans are losing power in the House, and want to finish the bill while they have the majority.

Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is locked in a battle for the speakership, which could make it tougher for her to compromise.