Updated 12:22 p.m. | A bipartisan group of senators led by Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, met Saturday morning to discuss an emerging framework to raise the debt limit and re-open the government, according to multiple sources familiar with the meeting. But Collins and her group may be overshadowed by negotiations between Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky. Several GOP senators said after a caucus meeting Saturday morning that McConnell and Reid are in talks to find an acceptable solution before the Oct. 17 debt limit deadline. "It's still very early," said one aide familiar with the talks. Senate Democratic aides indicated that there was no appetite yet for the Collins plan as drafted. But as members and aides on both sides struggle to find a resolution, any plan on the table could gain traction — especially if it has strong backing across caucuses. "I think it's going to come down to Sen. Reid and Sen. McConnell working together over the weekend, making a recommendation to both caucuses," Sen. Lamar Alexander said. "The House seems to be having a hard time. The president's not helping much," the Tennessee Republican added. "Sen. Reid and Sen. McConnell are the adults in the room and hopefully they'll be able to make a recommendation." (more…)
