As the sun started its descent behind the U.S. Capitol building on Monday, it seemed virtually certain to rise on a partially shuttered federal government. Jim Watson/AFP/Getty Images hide caption
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If Congress does not reach a budget agreement and the government shuts down, the U.S. Postal Service is one agency expected to remain in operation. Scott Olson/Getty Images hide caption
An expert FAA advisory committee has recommended that airline passengers be allowed to use most personal electronic devices below 10,000 feet. Leonardo Patrizi/iStockphoto.com hide caption
Health care delivery is expected to change, with more care provided by nurse practitioners and fewer people having a doctor for life. Images.com/Corbis hide caption
Party On: Legislation passed last week allows the Federal Helium Reserve to continue selling the stockpiled gas. Above, Jonathan Trappe launches his 370-balloon craft from Caribou, Maine, in an attempt to cross the Atlantic Ocean on Sept. 12. Alexandre Ayre/Barcroft Media/Landov hide caption
It's estimated that 4,743 Americans were lynched between 1882 and 1968. A large majority of those victims were black. Library of Congress hide caption
Jimmy Haslam, CEO of Pilot Flying J, discusses accusations of rebate fraud, in April. Today, Haslam said that an audit found problems with only a small number of the company's customers' accounts. Wade Payne/AP hide caption
The defendant known as Bobby Thompson listens to court proceedings in Cleveland on Monday. Tony Dejak/AP hide caption
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu arrives Monday at the White House to meet with President Obama. The two are expected to discuss Iran's nuclear program, Syria's civil war, and peace negotiations with the Palestinians. Susan Walsh/AP hide caption
A student gets vaccinated against pertussis at a Los Angeles middle school in 2012. The state required that students be immunized to halt an epidemic of whooping cough. Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images hide caption
Inside the Capitol, lawmakers are battling over health care and the budget. Outside, many government services may come to a stop at midnight. Win McNamee/Getty Images hide caption
From 'Morning Edition': NPR's Ailsa Chang on what's expected to happen Monday
From 'Morning Edition': NPR's Ailsa Chang on what's expected to happen Monday
The audience concentrates on a presentation by Kansas Insurance Commissioner Sandy Praeger's office about the federal health care overhaul at the University of Kansas satellite campus in Overland Park, Kan., earlier this month. John Hanna/AP hide caption
