Govt. Shutdown Day 14: Harry Reid and Mitch McConnell Closing in on a Deal President Can Sign

The White House said it is postponing a meeting with congressional leaders slated for 3 p.m. as Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell close in on a budget deal.

 

As background –

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) are in the process of negotiating a deal to extend the debt ceiling and end the government shutdown. Under this deal, Congress would pass a Continuing Resolution to fund the Federal government until mid-to-late December, and larger budget negotiations would take place on sequestration and other fiscal issues. The proposal could be presented to President Obama this afternoon during a meeting at the White House with members of the House and Senate leadership.

 

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he's "optimistic" that he and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell will be able to reach a budget agreement this week.

"Constructive, good faith negotiations continue between the Republican leader and me," Reid said on the Senate floor. "I'm very optimistic that we will reach an agreement that's reasonable in nature this week to reopen the government, pay the nation's bills and begin long term negotiations to put our country on sound fiscal footing."

McConnell was also upbeat.

"I share his optimism that we're going to get a result that will be acceptable to both sides," McConnell said.