Senate

Top senators say budget negotiations ongoing

by Jordain Carney - 10/26/15 3:24 PM ET

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) and Minority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) suggested Monday that a budget deal hasn’t been clinched, amid reports that they are nearing a two-year agreement with President Obama.

“We continue to work toward a budget agreement,” the Nevada Democrat said from the Senate floor. “I would hope that we’d come to a resolution, Democrats and Republicans, that is good for our country and our economy.”

{mosads}McConnell also noted that “fiscal negotiations are ongoing.”

“As the details come in, and especially if an agreement is reached, I intend to consult and discuss the details with our colleagues,” he added from the Senate floor.

The comments on the ongoing budget negotiations comes as the president is believed to be nearing a two-year budget deal with congressional leadership, including McConnell and Reid.

The potential agreement comes as lawmakers face a handful of deadlines, including raising the debt ceiling by Nov. 3 and averting a government shutdown by Dec. 11. Outgoing House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) has suggested that he wants to help clear looming legislative battles before leaving office.

Reid added that any agreement should get rid of “harmful, draconian sequester cuts.”

“It is imperative that we avoid a manufactured crisis that threatens our economy and jobs,” he added. “We must do it in a responsible manner.”

Sen. Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) suggested that key details on an agreement still need be answered, including potential riders and how any deal would impact programs such as Medicare or Social Security.

“It will be amazing if we can pull this off, but there are a lot of questions,” the Senate’s No. 2 Democrat told reporters.

Asked about when he believes an agreement could be announced, he added that “I think it’s within a matter of days.”

Tags Boehner Dick Durbin Harry Reid John Boehner Mitch McConnell