I can offer you the world economy in the shape of a Christmas candy cane.

I'm David Brancaccio. First, the Senate has bailed and has not approved aid for Ukraine and Israel this year.

Senate leaders will punt the issue into the new year

when Congress already faces other crucial deadlines.

Marketplace's Nancy Marshall Genser has that.

The Senate postponed its holiday break to continue work

on the aid package for Ukraine, Israel, and Taiwan, along with border funding, but

negotiators couldn't agree on new legislation tightening immigration laws, which was paired with

the aid bill.

Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell issued a joint statement

yesterday.

It says they hope the Senate can take swift action on the aid bill early in the new year, but even if it passes the Senate,

the legislation faces hurdles in the House where a significant block of Republicans opposes any more aid to Ukraine.

The House and Senate also face a possible partial government shutdown in mid-January

if they can't reach a deal to fund federal agencies before then.

I'm Nancy Marshall Genser for Marketplace. Oh, The econ nerds here at Marketplace want you to look at that candy cane on the tree and see not just holiday cheer and sugary delight but also trade protectionism oversees farm subsidies, inflation and inelastic demand.

The BBC's Aaron Delmore, a reporter for our partners at the BBC,

raises some cane from New Jersey to Louisiana. When the holiday season rolls around,

Dave Jionbray's candy shop in Clementin, New Jersey is bustling.

Customers come for the candy canes. 3805 altogether for you.

Dave's candy canes are made almost entirely of sugar and all are made by hand.

The sugar mix is folded and prodded and twisted into that famous red and white pattern.

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