Senate leaders nearing a deal

[KoKo]

By MANU RAJU, JOHN BRESNAHAN, JAKE SHERMAN and BURGESS EVERETT | 10/14/13 7:34 PM EDT


http://www.politico.com/story/2013/10/government-shutdown-debt-ceiling-default-update-98260.html?hp=t1

deed, there were growing expectations that a deal was imminent; Senate Republicans and Democrats are expected to meet Tuesday to discuss the proposal in separate closed-door caucus meetings.

The prospects for the emerging Senate deal in the GOP-led House are far from certain. And there’s a risk that major fiscal decisions are again being punted to a later time.

Republicans would win a provision to force Kathleen Sebelius, the Health and Human Services secretary, to certify that individuals receiving Obamacare subsidies meet the required income levels. The department’s inspector general would later have to conduct an audit on the matter.

Democrats would win a labor union priority to delay for one year an Obamacare reinsurance tax, which was supposed to be levied against most insurance plans to help spread the risk for insurers who take on the sickest patients next year. Delaying the fee — $63 per person covered by an insurance plan per year — could amount to a significant boon to unions. The GOP push to kill Obamacare’s medical device tax now appears to be off the table, sources said.



If sequestration were to continue in 2014, the proposal would give federal agencies more discretion to implement the across-the-board cuts.

After meeting twice Monday and speaking repeatedly through aides and by phone, Reid and McConnell both were hopeful a deal would reached when they adjourned the Senate for the evening.

“We’ve made tremendous progress. We are not there yet but tremendous progress. And everyone just needs to be patient,” Reid said. “Perhaps tomorrow will be a bright day.”

“We’re doing our best to make everybody happy but everyone knows we’re not going to be able do that. So everybody understand we’re doing the very best we can with all the frailties that we have as people and legislators,” McConnell said.

(WATCH: Senators emerge from bipartisan debt limit and budget meeting optimistic)

McConnell is keeping in close touch with House Speaker John Boehner as negotiations with Reid continue. Boehner (R-Ohio) stopped by McConnell’s office for about 25 minutes on Monday afternoon.

In a sign a deal was taking shape, President Barack Obama delayed a Monday meeting at the White House with the congressional leaders to give Reid and McConnell more time to finalize an accord.

White House Deputy Chief of Staff Rob Nabors was at the Capitol Monday evening and told reporters he’s “optimistic.”

“I’m not sure what the hang up is but it seems Sen. McConnell and Sen. Reid are working well together,” he said. “It feels like we’re in a good position.”

MUCH MORE AT:

http://www.politico.com/story/2013/10/government-shutdown-debt-ceiling-default-update-98260.html?hp=t1

[flamingdem]

1. They'd better hurry up

The damage will be massive if they miss the mark.

[KoKo]

6. This is a hugely politcal brawl (as you know) and, it must be hitting

both parties enough that things have begun to MOVE. Let's hope we Dems don't get the run over by the BUS...now that the Repugs are pretty much looking like Fools for holding America Hostage over Cruze and Boehner's Antics and Grandstanding.

[Squinch]

2. Doesn't matter. The House won't pass it. I think default is a done deal.

[Cali_Democrat]

4. The House would pass a deal if it went to the floor

Every Dem would vote for it along with just enough Republicans.

The question is whether or not Boehner will even allow a vote to proceed if a majority of the Republicans in the House don't support it.

If he brings it to the floor and a majority of the GOP doesn't support it, then he could be thrown out as speaker and he knows that.

It's a choice between the economy and his position as speaker.

[Squinch]

8. How much you want to bet he chooses his position?

[NV Whino]

3. Wake me up when it's over

[KoKo]

5. Well...one can get to that point.......WAKE ME UP...WHEN IT's OVAH!

If it wasn't so serious and crucial to so many of us...though.

[Skidmore]

7. I wish they would just shut up until they have something concrete.