Although negotiators spent the holiday weekend discussing a deficit reduction deal, a compromise to avoid looming mandated spending reductions under sequestration seems distant. Both Republicans and Democrats have suggested a willingness to work together to reach a deal, but a “wide gap” remains on taxes and changes to entitlement programs, such as Medicare and Medicaid, according to the Washington Post. According to the Post, White House and congressional staff have not yet made enough progress to schedule a second meeting between President Obama and congressional leaders.
