WASHINGTON — Congress was heading towards a climatic resolution Wednesday to reopen the federal government after a 16-day partial shutdown as well as avert an unprecedented debt default.
House and Senate leaders were negotiating how to maneuver a package through both chambers and get it to President Obama’s desk before the Oct. 17 default deadline. However, there was an air of certainty on Capitol Hill that a formal deal was at hand between Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky.
Senate leaders were on track to unveil a narrow package that includes a stopgap spending measure through Jan. 15, a suspension of the debt ceiling until Feb. 7, and a framework for formal budget negotiations to begin. Negotiators are tasked with reporting out by Dec. 13 recommendations for longer-term spending levels and deficit reduction
