–Senate Majority Leader Says Budget Talks Continue With Hill, Admin
–Sen. Reid: With ‘Good Fortune’ Can Avert Government Shutdown
By John Shaw
WASHINGTON (MNI) – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Tuesday
that negotiations between Congress and the White House continue on a
final fiscal year 2011 spending bill, adding that he hopes a government
shutdown can be avoided.
In remarks on the Senate floor, Reid said he consulted with the
White House this morning to review the status of negotiations between
the administration, Republican leaders in the House and Democratic
leaders in the Senate.
“I think that this matter, with a little bit of good fortune, could
move down the road in the next day or two and get us to a point where we
can have something do so that there doesn’t have to be a government
shutdown,” he said.
“I certainly hope that’s the case,” he added.
Congress passed a temporary spending bill for the 2011 fiscal year
that will keep the federal government funded until April 8.
The 2011 fiscal year began on Oct. 1 and the government has run on
six short-term funding bills.
Both President Obama and congressional leaders have indicated that
they want to reach an agreement on a final FY’11 spending bill, but
Democrats and Republicans have been exchanging increasingly sharp
accusations as to which party is to blame for the impasse.
House Republicans have been seeking $61 billion in spending cuts
from portions of the FY’11 budget. Congress so far has approved $10
billion in cuts.
Democratic leaders are expected to offer a new proposal this week
with up to $20 billion in additional spending cuts.
Another critical issue under dispute is whether the final package
should include policy riders which House Republicans are advocating.
The key discussions on the FY’11 budget are being held by aides to
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and House Speaker John Boehner as well
as the White House budget director, Jack Lew.
** Market News International Washington Bureau: (202) 371-2121 **
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