1) Unclear if Congress can get a deal to finish the omnibus spending bill to fund the gov't & on coronavirus by the end of the week.

2) In another time, in another place, Congressional leaders would simply resort to a trusty old political maneuver to force lawmakers to vote for whatever final, intractable bill remained just before the holidays – and usually prevail.

3) Congressional leaders would not so subtly suggest to rank-and-file members they’d simply have to remain in Washington until there was an agreement on the such-and-such bill. And, if there wasn’t a deal, they’d cancel Christmas.

4) Lawmakers would stay in session through the holidays. No. Members would find themselves marooned at the Capitol, racing to finish things up. Or, if they failed to get home in time, they would face the ire of the most powerful people in the country: Congressional spouses.

5) Congressional families put up with a lot. A lawmaker-relative is never around. Always in Washington. Even when they are back “home,” they are someplace else. Another part of the district. Another part of the state.

6) They have to fundraise. They have to fundraise for their colleagues. They travel overseas on official business over Congressional recesses.

So, the holidays are sacrosanct. And, threatening to wipe out Christmas often worked as leverage to force agreement.

7) This is the Congressional version of the “Stockholm Syndrome.” Tether lawmakers to Washington, through interminable meetings close to the holidays. Wear them down. And eventually, they’ll start to agree with their captors.

8) The members will vote for practically anything if that means they are liberated from the Capitol and get to go home to celebrate the holidays with families.

But does the threat of cancelling Christmas really work this time around? In the middle of a pandemic?

9) Especially if the House has remote voting? Most lawmakers can vote from the comfort of their living room, warmed by a yule log.

10) Hoyer hoped a few weeks ago Congress would wrap up by December 11. Then members could go home. Quarantine with their families. Then begin a re-quarantine to comply with Washington, DC’s local health rules so they could start the new Congress on January 3.

11) Well, that wish vanished like the Grinch swiping gifts from Whoville. Congress had to approve a stopgap bill to avoid a government shutdown last week. Another government shutdown looms this Friday night.

12) And coronavirus talks were in a shambles late last week. They’re trying to get a deal on government funding and coronavirus relief this week. But the hour is getting late.

13) Many House members returned home last week after Hoyer indicated the services of members probably wouldn’t be needed until and if there was a coronavirus package.

14) So, if there’s no pressure, and Christmas is all screwed up because of the pandemic anyway, no one really feels the need to step on the accelerator.

15) We have no idea if a coronavirus aid measure will come together. But it’s looking increasingly likely that Congress will have to meet the week of Christmas, as lawmakers struggle to work something out. If not the week between Christmas and New Year’s.

That would be so 2020.

16) Many Senate Republicans dismiss the bipartisan proposal assembled by a coalition senators. If they could get a deal, they likely would have gotten it a long time ago. Sometimes, there are some bills which seem like they should have resolution.

17) But the problem is too complicated to unwind. One wonders if this may be one of those circumstances.

That’s why flexing some “Stockholm Syndrome” muscle may not mean as much this holiday season.

18) However, if they do get a deal, it will come together with lightning speed. Things on Capitol Hill move faster than Donder and Blitzen when leaders forge an agreement on the outstanding issue du jour at Christmas.

19) And when the sides do reach an accord, they’ll load this legislation up with more goodies than Santa’s sleigh.

20) The holidays on the Hill are rarely bereft of drama. You never quite know if the political equivalent of Heat Miser, the Winter Warlock or the Burgermreister Meisterburger is going to threaten Christmas at the Capitol. This year is no exception.