Democrats' December dilemma

Plus, Honduras is poised to elect its first woman president.

Congressional Democrats face a tough December; Xiomara Castro, a left-wing opposition leader, is poised to become the first female president of Honduras.   Tonight's Sentences was written by Jariel Arvin. You've read 4 issues of Sentences in November. Financial gifts from readers help keep Vox and newsletters like Sentences free for all. Make a one-time gift today for #GivingTuesday. Give TOP NEWS Democrats' tough month ahead     Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images Democrats hope to pass several major bills by Christmas: One to avert a government shutdown, another to raise the debt ceiling, a third to authorize military spending, and fourth, the second part of President Joe Biden's Build Back Better package. [Politico / Burgess Everett and Marianna Levine] To do all that, lawmakers plan to give themselves some breathing room by passing a short-term measure this week that would keep federal agencies running until early next year. And Republicans have suggested some willingness to help Democrats negotiate the debt ceiling before the US defaults on its loans — which could happen as soon as December 15. [NPR / Deidre Walsh] Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer had hoped the Democrats could quickly pass the National Defense Authorization Act — a military spending package that has received bipartisan support for decades. But Republicans and some progressives stalled that plan on Monday, leaving Democrats even more short on time in December. [Reuters / Patricia Zengerle and Richard Cowan] Progressive and centrist Democrats have also battled for months over the Build Back Better Act, a $1.7 trillion social spending and climate package; every Democratic vote is needed for it to reach Biden's desk. [NBC /  Garrett Haake and Teaganne Finn] Although the defense spending bill is expected to ultimately pass and the debt default avoided, passing Build Back Better — Democrats remain far apart on key provisions — might take until next year. [Boston Globe / James Pindell] Xiomara Castro on track to become the first female president of Honduras Leftist opposition leader Xiomara Castro is on track to become Honduras's first female president, ending over a decade of conservative leadership. [Guardian / Jeff Ernst] With more than half of votes counted early Monday, Castro — the wife of former president Mel Zelaya, who was ousted back in 2009 — maintained a big lead in the polls. Her scandal-ridden opponent Nasry Asfura has not yet conceded. [BBC] Castro has promised to end rampant corruption in Honduras and usher in a new era of more inclusive democracy: "Never again will the power be abused in this country," Castro said Monday. However, Castro's agenda is likely to face heavy opposition in the conservative Central American country. [NYT / Anatoly Kurmanaev and Joan Suazo] The eventual winner faces many issues to tackle upon assuming office, including surges in mass migration, poverty, and corruption. [Reuters / Gustavo Palencia] Support our journalism   Reader contributions help keep Vox and newsletters like Sentences free for all. Support our work with a one-time gift today. Give MISCELLANEOUS Dutch health officials found the omicron variant in the Netherlands 11 days before it was detected in South Africa, which means it may have spread further than previously believed. [CBS / AP] After 55 years, Barbados separated from Queen Elizabeth II on Monday, becoming the world's newest republic. One of its first actions? Naming pop star Rihanna a national hero. [Washington Post / Jennifer Hassan] A suspect is in custody following a school shooting at Oxford High School in Michigan that left three dead and several others injured. [CNN / Amir Vera and Taylor Romine] The first accuser in the trial of Ghislaine Maxwell, who prosecutors say groomed young girls for Jeffrey Epstein, testified Tuesday. [New York Times / Benjamin Weiser and Lola Fadulu] VERBATIM "It's about a general effort to obstruct anything that's going on, with the hope that will reflect poorly on Joe Biden" [New Hampshire Sen. Jeanne Shaheen says Republicans' blockade of the defense spending bill is an attempt to thwart Biden's agenda] LISTEN TO THIS     What we know so far about Omicron (AA-muh-kraan ... or OH-muh-kraan) [Spotify] Read more from Vox Remembering Stephen Sondheim   Netflix's cute, whimsical "City of Ghosts" has layers for both parents and kids to enjoy   "Indie Sleaze" and "Internet Awesomesauce": Meet the woman schooling TikTok on niche aesthetics   Why the US government is always shutting down   Want to fight climate change effectively? Here's where to donate your money.     This email was sent to milburnkennedy@hotmail.com. Manage your email preferences or unsubscribe. If you value Vox's unique explanatory journalism, support our work with a one-time or recurring contribution.   View our Privacy Notice and our Terms of Service.   Vox Media, 1201 Connecticut Ave. NW, Floor 11, Washington, DC 20036. Copyright © 2021. All rights reserved.