The Hill News

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said Sunday that he sees good prospects for reaching a spending deal with Republicans to avoid a partial government shutdown when the current stopgap measure expires April 8.

“I always look at the glass being half full. I think we can work this out,” he said on the CBS' “Face The Nation.” Speaking on the same program, Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) also predicted a deal will get done.

“I think we'll get together. I think there are enough red-state Democrats who do not want to take this fight any further. They do want to be seen as reducing spending,” Graham said.

Reid reiterated the Democratic line that there’s a broad-strokes agreement on an overall level of cuts and the debate centers on what will and won’t be spared the ax. 

Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.), a top Democrat, said on ABC that the sides are working from a plan to cut $33 billion from current spending levels.

But House Speak! er John Boehner (R-Ohio) has emphasized Saturday that there is no deal in place yet. “Republicans continue to fight for the largest spending cuts possible to help end Washington’s job-crushing spending binge,” he said.

Reid and Majority Whip Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) both defended the White House’s handling of the high-stakes talks, comments that come after a top House Democrat called for President Obama to make a higher-profile case against GOP-backed cuts to domestic programs.

Asked whether Obama needs to get more involved, Reid said Obama â€" who phoned Reid and Boehner Saturday â€" has been “heavily involved” and also noted daily engagement with White House budget chief Jack Lew.

Durbin, speaking on NBC’s “Meet The Press,” said Obama “walks a very delicate line here.” Durbin said Obama doesn’t want to “go too far” in pushing his ideas and has been working "behind the scenes."

“The president's playing a role,” he said. “It may not be as visible and public as some would like, but I think he's done the right thing.”

Sean J. Miller contributed.