Budget resolution - A blueprint for Congress on how much the government should spend and take for the fiscal year. It does not have the force of law.

Appropriations (funding) bills: A bill that gives or sets aside money to various departments for various programs and operations. This is what needs to pass to prevent a government shutdown in December.

Continuing resolution - When Congress fails to pass an appropriations bill before the beginning of the fiscal year (October) and they don't want to see a shutdown, they pass a continuing resolution. A CR usually funds the government until a specific date. This is what passed in September to continue operations until December.

Debt ceiling - A legislative limit on how much the federal government can borrow. Since the US spends more than it takes in from revenue, it has to borrow more to pay its obligations. The debt ceiling isn't expected to be hit until March of next year.