Reid Says Two-Week Budget Extension Will Pass in Next 48 Hours

Senate Majority Leader Sen. Harry Reid, D- Nev., talks to the media after a Democratic policy luncheon on Tuesday, March 1, 2011, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci)

After meeting with his caucus on the latest efforts to avert a government shutdown, Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., emerged Tuesday to say the Senate will pass the House GOP leadership's two-week continuing resolution "in the next 48 hours."

Democrats, including the White House, preferred a 30-day CR, Reid said, but Republicans rejected that idea.

It was clear Senate Democrats feel the administration, specifically the president, has not been involved enough in the process, but that that will be changing. "I think they should be involved more, and I think they will be," Reid said with a grin.

Reid said he has spoken with the White House "numerous times this morning" and noted President Obama's call earlier Tuesday to House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, as examples. "The President is going to become more engaged... He has the bully pulpit at the White House, and that's very important," Reid explained.

Of a nonpartisan GAO report detailing hundreds of billions of dollars in government waste, Reid said, "I think that is constructive. I think there are duplicative programs around here that we could cut. So, I support, I don't say this very often, but I'm glad (Sen. Tom) Coburn asked for it."

With the government on track to remain open for at least the next two weeks, Reid said of the prospects for a longer-term funding bill, "I think that we have to find agreement. I think the president feels we have to find agreement. The president is going to take this to the American people."

The leader added, "We feel we're in a good position to work something out."