By Jake Sherman, POLITICO

Washington is entering a distinctly familiar situation: a paralyzing legislative stalemate with outsize importance for the nation’s economic and homeland security.

In just 25 days, automatic federal spending cuts — the ones Democrats and Republicans say they hate in equal measure — take hold.

But once again, rather than working together on a deal, House Republicans and Senate Democrats are on divergent paths — neither of which seem as though they’ll lead to quick resolution.

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