71.   There have been nine continuing resolutions to keep money flowing to departments and programs without permanent budgets.

72.   Two years ago, partisan fighting between the Democrats and the new Republican congressional majority scuttled a continuing resolution and led to two partial shutdowns of the government.

73.   Until Wednesday evening, it had been unclear whether the Republicans, who control Congress, would readily agree to a continuing resolution.

74.   Wednesday night Democrats complained that it was being attached to the must-pass continuing resolution, prohibiting a separate vote on the amendment.

75.   When Congress sent Clinton a second continuing resolution, he vetoed it because it included provisions he did not like.

76.   Without the continuing resolution, most government functions would shut down beginning Sunday, and hundreds of thousands of federal employees would be laid off.

77.   Congress could pass a continuing resolution that, if signed by Clinton, would keep the agencies open until a spending plan is passed.

78.   He added that he hoped there would be postponements in the form of continuing resolutions to extend government credit until a solution is found.

79.   He also announced he had signed a third one-week continuing resolution to keep the government operating another week.

80.   Foley said the plan involved passing a continuing resolution with a package of targeted appropriations, funding some government agencies and deparments but not others.