Rep. Brad Schneider, Democrat of Illinois, gives Joan Esposito the latest details on the late-hour legislative maneuvering to fund the government before the House and Senate recess for the year.
Asked what his confidence level is that Congress will pass a budget deal and avert a government shutdown, Schneider said: "I have 100 percent confidence that my colleagues in the Democratic Party, that Leader Jeffries are all committed to find a way to keep the government open and get a deal. We had that agreement. [Democrats] all stand by that. And if Speaker Johnson wants to reach out to Leader Jeffries -- maybe they're talking right now. If there's a will, there's a way.
"I'm less confident on Speaker Johnson; he says he wants to get a deal. I'm not sure he has the ability to deliver a deal, because he may have to negotiate and then hope that Donald Trump doesn't sink it. And I have zero confidence that Elon Musk is going to do what's in the best interest of the American people. He's always going to do what he thinks is in his own personal interest.
"So given all of that dynamic, I'm probably 50-50."
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