Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) hopes to have a deal to reopen the government and raise the debt ceiling by the time Senate leaders travel to the White House Monday afternoon.
Reid, Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell (Ky.), Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) and House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) are scheduled to meet with President Obama at 3 p.m.
Asked if Senate leaders would reach a deal by then, Reid said, “[I] sure hope so.”
“We’re working on everything,” Reid said when asked about the scope of the negotiations. “We continue to work on it. It’s not done yet.”
Reid met with McConnell in the GOP leader’s office for about 30 minutes before making the comments. As he left, he insisted his relationship with the minority leader is better than has been widely reported.
“That’s greatly exaggerated. Sen. McConnell and I have worked together for more than 30 years, very closely since we’ve been whips. So, no problem,” he said.
Still, Reid was not sure if Republicans would accept the Democrats’ latest offer to open the government and raise the debt ceiling.
“Shouldn’t take anything for granted,” he said.
Reid hinted Democrats have not made any significant concessions.
When asked, what Democrats have offered, he said, “We didn’t offer any — we talked yesterday as everyone knows.”
American Federation of Government Employees Local 704 