No news is, well, news, as Congress nears pressing deadlines to reach a budget deal and pass a farm bill — and there doesn't appear to be an agreement for either one, at least before Monday. House GOP aides familiar with the status of both negotiations say conferees will continue to talk in the days ahead, but there are no formal scheduled meetings at the moment. "We're waiting on some of the proposals that were discussed Wednesday to be scored and then they'll reassess accordingly," said a House GOP aide familiar with the farm bill negotiations. The top four farm bill conferees met on Wednesday and described the meeting as "productive." (more…)
