House, Senate, and White House negotiators failed to reach a deal on raising federal spending caps, Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard Shelby, R-Ala., said Wednesday.
“We’re close but we’re not there yet,” Shelby told reporters as he left the meeting.
The negotiators are trying to strike a deal to raise spending levels set under the 2011 Budget Control Act that, if left in place, would cut discretionary spending next year by $125 billion.
“We’ve had a good discussion, very candid,” Shelby said.
Shelby said Treasury Secretary Steven Mnuchin, who was in the meeting, is planning to talk to House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., about the top line numbers.
“If we can bring the House on to where we are, to where we think we are, that’s the goal,” Shelby said.
Shelby would not disclose the details of the discussion and was vague on whether a two-year caps deal was in the works, which is what both parties are seeking.
Republicans have been struggling to find agreement with the Trump administration over lifting both domestic and military spending caps.
Both parties and the White House are eager to reach a deal on caps in order to clear the way for the House and Senate to pass spending bills before the Sept. 30 end of the fiscal year.
“We haven’t agreed on anything yet,” Shelby said.
