This procedural tool would allow the chamber to pass certain kinds of legislation which affects the federal budget — including spending on programs like Obamacare, Medicare, Medicaid, welfare, and Social Security — with a simple majority. (fortune.com)
So, to summarize, the notion that Congress is required to pass a budget resolution, or that a budget resolution is needed to authorize the government to operate is a canard resulting from the confusion between two very different kinds of legislation, with two very different purposes. (politics.stackexchange.com)
[UPDATE: China's Vice Minister for Foreign Affairs just announced on Thursday (Day 11) at a press conference that China agrees to the 2 degree C limit] As we're continually reminded, the negotiations are a frustrating Catch - 22: prior to COP - 15, negotiations were hinged on U.S. legislation and now U.S. legislators are focused on Copenhagen to provide directive as to what kind of legislation should be passed. (greenleapforward.com)