December 13 is yet another one of those self-imposed deadlines by which Congress is supposed to come up with a budget deal.  Members are working in an atmosphere where no one is very happy with the last budget deal, the across the board sequester, and yet no one is very optimistic that a “grand bargain” is feasible. In addition, there doesn’t seem to be much enthusiasm for the high-stakes drama that led to the government shut-down and near default in October.  So perhaps this week we will see a more modest budget deal.  If so, here are some favorites from the desks of Brookings’ scholars.