Politicians continue to drag their collective feet when it comes to funding vital public services. As the time to adjourn for the year approaches, the do-nothing Congress remains faithful to its tradition and instead of voting on its annual spending bills– bills to fund vital services like health care, social services, and financing for student lending – it decided to dump all the work on the new majority. That is to say, most of the bills will have to wait until January, when the new Congress will convene.

The House and Senate already cleared a continuing resolution to fund government programs through December 8. The problem is that this continuing resolution restricts funding to the Republican-led House’s low proposed funding level, or last year’s enacted level, which do not provide for increasing needs, inflation, and long-term under-funding.

Congress reconvenes December 4 to attempt to complete further action on the remaining 2006 spending bills. If they fail to make progress, they will have to continue insufficient funding, with ensuing budget nightmares for vital public services and America’s social safety net.

For more information, check out the Emergency Campaign for America’s Priorities.