A key group of lawmakers met this morning to discuss legislation to address the economic crisis.

Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Chairman Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) and House Financial Services Chairman Barney Frank (D-Mass.) led the way into the old Senate Foreign Relations meeting room in the Capitol shortly after 10 a.m., along with Sens. Bob Corker (R-Tenn.), Bob Bennett (R-Utah), Jack Reed (D-R.I.) — all members of the Banking Committee — as well as Sen. Kent Conrad (D-N.D.), who sits atop the Budget Committee.

The meeting was expected to last for about 30 minutes. Lawmakers said going in that they were optimistic that they would reach a deal by the end of the day.