Congressional Democrats are moving frantically to fund the government into early December and raise the debt ceiling so a looming government shutdown can be avoided.

The Senate could vote on Wednesday or Thursday to fund the government until Dec. 3, and avoid a shutdown, according to Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y.

"With so many critical issues to address, the last thing the American people need right now is a government shutdown. This proposal will prevent one from happening," Schumer said.

The proposal, known as a swift passage, would require unanimous support from the Senate to have it reach President Joe Biden’s desk and get signed. At that point, Congress would have to pass a continuing resolution in order to suspend the debt ceiling into 2022.

The proposal would also include money for hurricane relief funds and Afghan refugee settlement. If Congress fails to pass the much-needed proposal by midnight on Thursday, federal funding will lapse which may lead to federal worker furloughs and a reduction in services.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned if Congress fails to suspend or raise the debt limit by Oct. 18 it would force the U.S. to default on the national debt for the first time in its history.

“The full faith and credit of the United States would be impaired, and our country would likely face a financial crisis and economic recession," Yellen said.

Funding the government and raising the debt ceiling are two separate issues. Raising the borrowing limit does not authorize future spending. It just allows the Treasury to cover its current debt obligations.

Schumer vowed on Wednesday that his party will not raise the nation’s borrowing limit using reconciliation as part of President Biden’s ambitious spending package designed to expand the social safety net.

"Now in solving this crisis, this body cannot and will not go through a drawn-out unpredictable process sought by the minority leader. To do this through reconciliation requires ping-ponging separate bills back from the Senate and the House," Schumer said.

Republicans previously blocked a bill that would have suspended the debt ceiling through 2022 and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., blocked them from bypassing the 60-vote filibuster, forcing Democrats to raise the debt ceiling using reconciliation. This would require them to attach a number to how high they want to raise the nation’s borrowing limit.

"There's a number of options, but you can take it to the bank Democrats will not let the government default even if Republicans will not vote for it," said Sen. Tim Kaine, D-Va.

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