Lawmakers continue to debate major changes to political money regulations as part of a year-end spending package, despite opposition from numerous congressional Democrats and campaign finance watchdog groups.

Even with congressional primaries already underway, the proposals could play out in the November midterm elections if enacted, campaign finance experts on both sides of the debate say.

The two most contentious matters deal with loosening the spending limits on coordination between political parties and their candidates as well as a possible rollback of the longstanding Johnson Amendment, which prohibits churches and charities from endorsing political candidates.

Both could have dramatic implications for American politics, though it is unclear whether congressional negotiators will include the provisions in the forthcoming omnibus spending measure. Current government funding runs out after midnight Friday, and there are a host of unresolved policy issues.

From the 2017 Archives: How the Appropriations Process Is Supposed to Work