WASHINGTON _ President Barack Obama and congressional leaders appeared confident they soon will ink a deal to avoid a government shutdown, but neither side announced a final agreement on Monday.
Republican and Democratic leaders from both chambers met with Obama for about an hour in the Oval Office in a discussion that covered a wide range of issues. Senior lawmakers and White House aides are signaling that a stopgap funding bill lasting until Dec. 9 could hit the Senate floor later this week.
Obama told reporters he has "modest" hopes that congressional leaders can find enough common ground to pass a continuing resolution before government funding expires, as well tack on a section addressing federal efforts to curb the Zika virus outbreak.
"Even though I know that we're in the midst of a political season and everybody is thinking about elections, there's still business to be done, and I was encouraged by some of the constructive work that's being done right now," Obama told reporters in the Oval Office, flanked by House and Senate leaders.
The meeting came as senior lawmakers and the White House try to agree on a stopgap measure to fund government programs and agencies into the new fiscal year and avert a shutdown, which would otherwise occur on Oct. 1.
Details about the size and shape of the stopgap measure began to emerge shortly before the leaders arrived.
The White House made clear that the measure "should be short and not freighted with the kinds of ideological riders" that have triggered standoffs in the past.
In addition, Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said he expects lawmakers to be able to move this week on a continuing resolution through Dec. 9 at last year's enacted levels that includes funds for a Zika virus response and veterans programs. He also teed up for a procedural vote the legislative vehicle on which the continuing resolution would ride.
The possibility of Congress fleeing Washington a few weeks early to campaign didn't stop the partisan blame game surrounding the need for another stopgap measure.
Senate Majority Whip John Cornyn, R-Texas, took to the floor to blame Democrats for the need for a continuing resolution to Dec. 9, saying: "It's the result of our Democratic colleagues filibustering the regular appropriations process."
Multiple congressional aides told CQ Roll Call that lawmakers from both chambers are engaged in talks about a continuing resolution. But potential sticking points remain, including possible curbs on funding Planned Parenthood, resettling Syrian refugees and other policy provisions that might hitch a ride on the legislation.
