Balanced-Budget Deal Inches Closer

Bargainers from the Clinton administration and Congress edged closer to a budget-balancing deal Wednesday, wading through remaining disputes over tax cuts and spending boosts. But it remained unclear whether they would meet their informal goal of shaking hands on a pact this week.

In private meetings at the Capitol and over the telephone, the pace of negotiations quickened as congressional budget writers and White House officials sought middle ground on balancing the budget by 2002 while trimming taxes.

“We made good progress the last couple of days, I think even more today,” Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott, R-Miss., said. But he added, “We’re not there yet. There are gaps in a couple of critical areas.”

White House officials and Democrats were less enthusiastic.

“Most of the major big ticket issues remain unresolved and in flux,” said a White House aide speaking on condition of anonymity. “The differences are narrowing, but there are still a lot of unresolved issues.”