As Congress worked into the week before Christmas, agreement seemed near on a bill to keep the government running until March. The tentative spending plan included funds sought by Sen. Bernie Sanders to help the elderly and families with children afford to heat their homes. Also on Monday, senators resumed consideration of a new arms control treaty with Russia. Those and a few other items remained on the congressional agenda after a rare weekend session. On Saturday the Senate voted to repeal a ban on gays serving opening in the military, but blocked a bill to clear a path to citizenship for children of immigrants. While the debates continued on the Senate floor, Sanders hosted a reception for Sen. John Barrasso and his staff. Their offices are on the same floor and down the hall from each other in the Dirksen Building. It was a friendly affair. Sanders was joking when he offered safe refuge for any defectors from the office of the Wyoming Republican.