Time is running out yet again for Congress to avert a government shutdown.

Federal lawmakers are staring down a fiscal cliff to pass a spending bill by January 19th with money tied to crucial government programs, including funding to Ukraine and Israel.

And a second deadline in February when money for the rest of the government runs out.

But none of that seems to be speeding up an agreement between House and Senate leaders to pass a dozen spending bills that should have been done nearly three months ago.

For the latest, I'm joined by New Jersey Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, who sits on the House Appropriations Committee.

Congresswoman Bonnie Watson.

Coleman, it's good to talk to you.

I mean, listen, you all are looking at a number of budget headaches going into this new year.

Do you see a deal being brokered on these spending bills in enough time?

Well, Briana, first of all, thanks for having me and happy holidays to you.

And I don't think we have a choice.

I mean, Republicans have not shown themselves desirous of governing because of the things that they put aside as they do some of the trash bills and resolutions that they've done.

But we don't have a choice here.

We have all of our spending bills that are coming due either January the 19th or February the second.

And if we don't pass those bills, we do not give the agencies the authority to spend the resources that they need to meet the needs of everyday families in this country.

International aid and and things of that nature.

There's no alternative to this other than these incremental spending bills that lasts for like two weeks or a week or whatever.

That's that's no way to govern A stopgap measure is not something that at least the folks you're talking to would consider at this point.

Well, that is not something that we find acceptable.

That is not something that is respectful of the needs of our country and our allies.

We will have to consider whatever the Republican majority puts on the table.

But I tell you, we will fight vigorously for our families our communities, our elderly, our children, our innocent people and our allies will continue to do the kind of fighting that we did this last year.

And we will continue to try to pursue the progress we made on behalf of everyone in the previous Congress when we were in charge.

Well, let me ask you, are you concerned, then, about funding for Ukraine and Israel being on the chopping block?

We know defense funding in general has been in the crosshairs.

I am very concerned about being able to support our allies in protecting themselves, protecting their countries and ultimately protecting us, Briana.

We're not supporting people just because we want to we supporting them because we have a stake in their safety and security as well.

And I'm also very concerned that we're getting the humanitarian aid that is so necessary to get into Gaza, the devastation of Gaza and the thousands of innocent people killed there.

It is inhumane and it is unacceptable.

And this country, the peace loving, leading country that we have always been, we need to seek to be.

Secretary Blinken was in Mexico looking at border reform, the immigration policy.

Do you anticipate your Republican colleagues using immigration and the border policy as a leverage point?

In some of these negotiations?

Yes, of course I do.

And I believe that there are measures that can be introduced in the border that make sense whether it's technology.

We cannot stop people from seeking asylum.

We're not we're not evil.

We're not mean we are not able people in this country.

So we need to find a way to manage what is coming across the border.

Why are they coming across the border?

Would they be leaving countries that are prosperous and safe and secure for their families?

Absolutely not.

Who are we?

The United States of America.

We tell you, bring us your refuge, bring us your poor, bring us those who need to be sheltered.

That's who we are.

And we need to be it in a moment when it's needed.

Congresswoman Bonnie Watson Coleman, thank you.

Happy New Year to you.

What will undoubtedly be another busy one.

Thank you.

The same to you and to all of your listeners.

God Bless.