Getting your player ready...
WASHINGTON — A bullish President Barack Obama said Friday that compromise is close with Republicans on $33 billion in budget cuts, and he warned that without a deal, the ensuing government shutdown would “jeopardize our economic recovery.”
Despite his assessment, negotiators reported little progress, Senate Democrats backtracked on a key concession — refusing to block the EPA from implementing regulations on a variety of industries — and Congress’ top Republican sounded less optimistic than the president that a breakthrough was imminent.
“There is no agreement on a number” on how much to cut, House Speaker John Boehner said.
