Boehner, Reid Headed Back to WH

Politico reports:

House Speaker John Boehner and Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid are headed back to the White House Thursday afternoon to continue budget negotiations, which Reid says have stalled over abortion and clean air add-ons.

Congressional leaders and President Barack Obama have until midnight Friday to agree on billions in budget cuts and strike a deal on the hot-button social riders, a goal all three players say they want to reach, but a heavy-lift with 36 hours to go.

The GOP has been working overtime to blame Democrats for any possible shutdown, while Democrats say that Boehner is being held hostage by the right wing of his conference, that wants deeper cuts and social issues tacked on.

At stake are the real-world consequences of an inoperable government, including potentially unpaid furloughs for 800,000 workers, alongside political consequences for both parties.

Reid said Thursday he’s “not nearly as optimistic” about reaching a deal as he was last night because Boehner’s emphasis has shifted from a spending-cut target to social issues.

“We can’t solve in one night a disagreement this country has been having for decades. It’s not realistic. It’s not realistic to shutdown the government on a debate dealing with abortion,” Reid said. “It’s not fair to the American people.”

Boehner declined to talk about negotiations as he left a House Republican leadership meeting just before 11 am, attended by House Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and Majority Leader Eric Cantor (R-Va.), as well.

Leaders and their staff confirmed they will still push a one-week bill that the Senate has said is a non-starter because it slashes $12 billion in spending and only funds the Pentagon for the rest of the year. Privately, GOP insiders are daring the Senate to ignore the bill. The believe Obama and Reid look like they’ve done little to break the logjam.