Senate returns and faces deadline to avoid shutdown and questions about McConnell

Lawmakers have a narrow window to approve a stopgap funding measure and avoid a possible government shutdown beginning in October. Leaders of the House and Senate say a temporary spending bill is needed to work on yearlong bills. (Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images)

Lawmakers return this week with one pressing challenge this month — avoiding a potential government shutdown.

The Senate is back Tuesday to sort out the next steps on crafting a short-term funding bill that can pass before federal agencies run out of money on Sept. 30. But talk of the health of Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., following another episode when he froze at a press conference last week, will also dominate Capitol Hill.