In order to avoid a government shutdown, Congress must come to some agreement this month on appropriations for the fiscal year that starts on October 1. Compromise on the final appropriations package seems by that deadline seems impossible, but they could instead agree to continue current levels of appropriations through the end of the year. They might also finalize decisions in a few areas of appropriations on which there is agreement.
The church leaders in the Circle of Protection just sent a letter to every member of Congress and the President, mainly to urge protection for poverty-important programs, notably WIC (nutrition assistance for small children and pregnant women) and emergency aid for the alarming number of the world's people who are now suffering extreme hunger in countries like South Sudan and Afghanistan. I think you'll appreciate both the policy analysis and religious language in the Circle letter at this link: circleofprotection.us.