Lawmakers will be doing their x-mas shopping last minute this year as they scramble to tie up all the year's legislative loose ends in three weeks.

Top of the list are '08s spending bills, which Dems look like they'll bundle into a massive omnibus bill (leaving out the already passed Defense bill). Given the president's promise to veto any domestic bill that tops his spending recommendation, leaders will likely slice out $11 billion in spending (half of the $22 billion they originally went over) to win over more conservative votes.

Congress will also aim to wrap up a package of energy reforms including higher gas mileage standards, a catch-all farm bill, a bill to cover more health insurance for low to middle income children, a free trade agreement with Peru and a one year extension of middle class exemptions from the Alternative Minimum Tax.

Efforts to pass a $50 billion bridge fund for the Iraq war as well as a re-write of the domestic spying bill probably will be put off to the new year.

Photo:DOD/USN via pingnews, Creative Commons, Flickr