The House and Senate passed an extension of the FY2011 Continuing Resolution (CR) until December 18 and sent it to the president for signature.  The bill language simply changes the expiration date of the existing CR from Dec. 3, 2010 to Dec. 18, 2010.  Congressional negotiations on the final disposition of the FY2011 appropriations bills are continuing, with the outcome still uncertain.  If Congress is unable to agree on an omnibus appropriations bill before final adjournment this year (which appears unlikely), it could extend the CR again until early next year.  In this case the new Congress would take final action.  Or it could pass a year-long CR, which would essentially fund agencies in FY2011 at the FY2010 level.  A year-long CR could make allowances for some specific program funding above the FY2010 level.