Daily Briefing: Congress' unfinished business

Congressional lawmakers are pushing their biggest battles to the new year. Also in the news: Moments after the president responded to a question from reporters, a silver copper sedan with Delaware plates hit an SUV that appeared to be guarding his motorcade. A look at how Hunter Biden's drug addiction history could shape his legal defense.

🙋🏼‍♀️ I'm Nicole Fallert, Daily Briefing author. Here's what to drink if you're not in the mood for a gingerbread latte.

Here is the news to know Monday.

Congress is leaving town without solving two major debates

Right now might feel like time to slow down and reflect — unless you're on Capitol Hill. When Congress resumes work early next year, they’ll have less than two weeks to fund transportation, housing, agriculture and energy programs by Jan. 19. Then they'll have only three additional days with both chambers in session to fund all other agencies and avert a government shutdown once again.

If Congress can't pass all 12 spending bills by the end of April, there will be an across-the-board government spending cut.

• The House has already headed home for the holidays. The Senate remains in town Monday as a group of leaders negotiate a border security package with the White House.

• If Congress can't come to a budget agreement next year, House Speaker Mike Johnson has pledged not to pass another short-term extension.

• Meanwhile, It's not clear when Republicans hope to wrap up their impeachment investigation into President Joe Biden after the House formally authorized the push, even as it lacks evidence supporting their allegations.

Related: How will Democrats court voters in 2024?

Car slams into parked SUV that was part of Joe Biden's security detail

A car plowed into a parked SUV that was shielding President Joe Biden’s motorcade while the president and first lady Jill Biden were exiting his campaign headquarters in Delaware on Sunday night. Reporters traveling with the Bidens said the first lady had just said “happy holidays” to reporters and gotten into a presidential vehicle. Reporters heard a loud bang and saw Biden standing outside his vehicle with a surprised expression on his face. Neither of the Bidens were injured in the incident.

More news to know now

• A Los Angeles church was destroyed in a fire hours before Christmas celebrations.

• The Florida GOP is expected to oust leader Christian Ziegler after a sexual assault allegation.

• How worried is Trump's base about his ''dictator'' comments?

• Are the Sinaloa Cartel's ''Chapitos'' really getting out of the fentanyl business?

• For subscribers: A discovery inside an unearthed bottle would’ve shocked the scientist who buried it in 1879.

• On today's The Excerpt podcast, a look at the year in photos. Listen on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, or your smart speaker.

What's the weather today? Check your local forecast here.

Defense secretary in Israel to press for a more targeted approach in Gaza

U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin is expected to press Israel to wind down major combat operations in Gaza on a visit to the region Monday. France, the U.K. and Germany joined global calls for a cease-fire over the weekend, and Israeli protesters have demanded the government relaunch talks with Hamas on releasing more hostages after three were mistakenly killed by Israeli troops Friday despite waving white flags. On Saturday, scores of protesters set up tents outside the Israeli Defense Ministry in Tel Aviv, pledging to remain there until the government resumed hostage negotiations with Hamas. Read more

• Some young Black voters are undecided about Biden over a lack of support for Palestinians.

Here's how Hunter Biden's drug addiction could shape his legal defense

Hunter Biden's very public history of prolific drug abuse may form a key part of his defense against nine tax charges that carry a combined maximum penalty of 17 years in prison, legal experts say. The son of President Joe Biden was indicted in a California federal court earlier this month on three felony and six misdemeanor tax charges. Prosecutors allege he failed to pay at least $1.4 million in taxes on time and evaded other taxes, all while burning millions on a lavish lifestyle that included drug usage. But his team could argue that his understanding about some of his activities was marred by his drug use. Read more

Keep scrolling

• What are ketamine infusion clinics?

• Here's how virtual teachers can step in to help American classrooms.

• Watch Tiger's priceless reaction to Charlie Woods' chip-in.

• After School Satan Clubs and pagan statues have popped up across the U.S. What's going on?

• A rare Italian vase bought at Goodwill for $3.99 was just sold for over $100,000.

• 32 things we learned in NFL Week 15: Bills strike fear as potential playoff team.

Keep dreaming of a white Christmas

A white Christmas looks unlikely this year for the vast majority of the U.S., meteorologists say. Much of the central U.S. will see a rather mild to even warm Christmas. Some parts of Texas, including big cities such as Dallas and Houston, could see temperatures reach all-time highs for Christmas Day, forecasters say, while Chicago is enduring a record snow drought to start the city's snow season. Read more

Photo of the day: Nobody went to see the Panthers-Falcons game

Carolina Panthers supporters are getting fed up with the actions of owner David Tepper, and Sunday, fans showed their disapproval ... by not showing up at all.

Nicole Fallert is a newsletter writer at USA TODAY, sign up for the email here. Want to send Nicole a note? Shoot her an email at NFallert@usatoday.com or follow along with her musings on Twitter. Support journalism like this – subscribe to USA TODAY here.

Associated Press contributed reporting.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Congress, budget, Biden, Hunter Biden, Israel-Hamas war, NFL, weather: Daily Briefing