When he took to the Senate floor Monday afternoon, Senate Majority Harry Reid (D-NV) didn’t announce a deal to end the government shutdown and increase the debt limit, but he said he was “very optimistic” that one would be made this week.
“Constructive good-faith negotiations continue between the Republican leader and me,” Reid said. “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.”
Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) echoed Reid’s comments a few moments later.
“We have had an opportunity over the last couple of days to have some very constructive exchanges of views about how to move forward,” he said. “Those discussions continue, and I share his optimism that we’re going to get a result that will be acceptable to both sides.”
The Senate leaders will head to the White House at 3 p.m. ET for a meeting with President Obama, Vice President Joe Biden, House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA).
