Harry Reid: No breaks for Biden group

Participants in the talks, as well as top officials not taking part, have said they would like to see a deficit-reduction deal emerge by early July. The Treasury Department has said that the $14.3 trillion debt ceiling needs to be raised by Aug. 2. 

On Thursday, at the end of the most recent meeting, Biden said the group was trying to pinpoint $4 trillion in savings.  After meeting three times this week, the group is scheduled to get together at least as often, and possibly more, next week.

{mosads}But the different calendars employed by the two congressional chambers could cause some issues for the talks. 

The House, which is generally spending two weeks in Washington and then a week away, is scheduled to have a constituent work week between June 27 and July 1. The Senate, meanwhile, will be away from the Capitol the week of July 4. 

“When the Senate is in recess we should be working on this. When the House is in recess, we should be working it,” Reid said. “The mere fact that one of the bodies is out of work should not stop the Biden group from going forward.”

Reid also had some kind words about Biden, who he worked with in the Senate for more than two decades.