Trent Lott: “I am pleased that there have been efforts at the White House, meetings between the President, the Vice President, and…”

“I am pleased that there have been efforts at the White House, meetings between the President, the Vice President, and the leaders of Congress to try to find a solution to our budget problems. I know that sometimes they feel like they are trying to grasp for the wind. It is very difficult to find a solution, but it is a very, very important effort. I wish them continued encouragement in their efforts to find an agreement to the budget. I have been very much concerned that it does not seem like they are making that much progress. The way you get a budget agreement, the way you get any agreement any time when you have two opposing views is both sides have to give a little and get a little in return. I do not think that is happening yet. But I hope they will continue. I hope that something will happen, if they do not meet today, tomorrow, that dramatic progress will be made, although I know it will be very difficult. Yesterday afternoon the President went on national television right before the bipartisan meeting on the budget to bemoan the partial shutdown of the Federal Government. He recited a list of horror stories about the disastrous effects of that shutdown. He said, "We ought to reopen the Government." I agree. He said, "The shutdown has been especially devastating to hundreds of thousands of dedicated public servants who work for the American people through the Federal Government." I agree with that.”