Schumer: In recess, Senate working on budget issue

[February 21, 2011]  (AP) -- A leading Democrat says Senate officials are working behind the scenes on a budget proposal to keep the government running.

Even with the budget crisis looming, both houses of Congress are in recess this week.

But Democratic Sen. Chuck Schumer of New York says that lawmakers and aides are poring over the massive budget document passed by the House in the wee hours of Saturday morning. It proposes cutting $61 billion from hundreds of federal programs.

Congressional Democrats and President Barack Obama oppose the House proposal. For its part, the Senate is expected to propose holding spending at current levels.

Time is short. If no compromise over the budget is reached by March 4, parts of the government could shut down.

Schumer spoke Sunday on CNN's "State of the Union."

[Associated Press]

Copyright 2011 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.