Legislative deadlines pile up in Congress

House and Senate Republicans are consumed with passing health insurance and tax reform bills, but have yet to tackle a long list of other critical measures that Congress must complete by the end of the year.

Among the ignored but must-pass items is the reauthorization of a key surveillance tool used by intelligence agencies to prevent terrorist attacks and a bill reauthorizing federal healthcare benefits for low-income children. The surveillance measure, which expires at the end of the year, faces potential opposition and delay from Republicans who are angry about intelligence leaks that have hurt the Republican White House, which could complicate passage.