McConnell: There will be a spending agreement shortly

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) said he believes there will be an agreement on a funding package for fiscal year 2011 shortly, thus averting a government shutdown. 

“Neither side actually wants one [a shutdown],” said McConnell. “And that’s why I believe there will be an agreement here shortly.” 

"I have been in many negotiation over the years," he noted. "I assure you, these are not unresolvable issues. … A resolution is actually within reach.” 

One of those issues holding up negotiations is a provision in a funding measure approved by the House that would remove funding for all of Title X. Last year, $75 million of Title X funding went to Planned Parenthood affiliates. While Planned Parenthood provides abortion services, it does not use federal money for them.

If a deal to fund the government is not struck by midnight on Friday, the government will shut down.

House Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) is scheduled to meet with House Republicans at noon to discuss a spending deal. Senate Democrats are scheduled to meet at 1 p.m.