One week left until Washington's next fiscal deadline - ABC 12 – WJRT – Flint, MI

(03/20/13) - We're just one week away from Washington's next fiscal deadline.

If Congress doesn't come up with a plan to fund the federal government for the rest of the fiscal year, a partial shutdown could go into effect.

The bill that would avoid the shutdown is called 'the continuing resolution', or CR. Here's where it stands. The House of Representatives approved a version two weeks ago. The Senate Appropriations Committee passed it with bipartisan support last week, but right now it's being held up for a full Senate vote by some Republicans who want amendments added to it.

Republican Congressman Dave Camp voted in favor of the CR in the House.

"At least in terms of reducing spending and getting these trillion dollar deficits under control, this is a small step forward, but it's in the right direction," he said.

Camp's Democratic colleague, Dan Kildee did not support the CR because he says it keeps in place the sequester cuts.

"The CR should not be used as an ideological tool to shrink programs and reduce programs that are good for people and will keep this economy going," he said.

Kildee hopes the Senate's final version of the CR won't look like the House's.

"If the Senate acts and restores some of those sequester cuts, I may be willing to support that version," he said.

But Camp doesn't think the Senate will make significant changes.

"We're trying to get the federal government to live within its means. Ultimately, this is how we get to a balanced budget - is to take steps to rein in spending," he said.

Both Camp and Kildee are hopeful Congress can come to an agreement this week. They're scheduled to leave town for a two-week holiday recess starting Friday.