Maneuvering begins for the next Congress

WASHINGTON - The chances that Jane Henney will receive rapid Senate confirmation - without debate - improved last week. Eager to avoid a government shutdown and to begin full-time electioneering, the congressional Republican leadership agreed last week with the White House on terms of an omnibus budget bill and scheduled a vote on the measure for Tuesday.

The budget delay, which will have kept Congress in session at least 10 days longer than planned, improved the chances for confirmation of Henney along with other administration nominees, who are likely to get a quick "up-or-down" vote as lawmakers try to wrap up their business...