Top Dem: GOP shutdown threat about abortion

A last-minute budget deal remains possible, but the deadline is now less than 24 hours away

Published April 8, 2011 12:44PM (EDT)

The No. 2 Democrat in the House says lawmakers trying to avert a government shutdown have come "70 percent of the way on the numbers" but are still fighting over social policies such as abortion and the environment.

House Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer tells NBC's "Today" show "there's no deal yet, unfortunately." The Maryland Democrat commented Friday morning, with a midnight deadline fast approaching.

Hoyer says "we're pretty close," but more work is needed. He also says "when we were in charge of the House and had disagreements with George Bush, we compromised. He says he's "embarrassed" about putting the country on the brink of a shutdown and says "you can't negotiate on the basis that one side gives 100 percent and the other side gives zero."

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By Associated Press

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Budget Showdown