Congressional leaders meet, cite progress in spending and stimulus talks
By Mike DeBonis, Seung Min Kim and Jeff Stein
Congressional negotiations on spending and economic relief legislation picked up speed on Tuesday, as top lawmakers met for an hour in the afternoon and then again in the evening, a sign that talks are reaching a critical stage.
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) hosted the three other most senior congressional leaders — Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.), Senate Minority Leader Charles E. Schumer (D-N.Y.) and House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) — in her office.
Negotiators expressed optimism after hours of meetings, although they revealed few details about the nature of the talks. McCarthy said late Tuesday that negotiations were going “really well.”
