WASHINGTON, Feb. 28 (UPI) -- The White House thinks negotiations about keeping the federal government running are "moving in the right direction," press secretary Jay Carney said Monday.
"We're pleased that there seems to be some progress, and we think we're moving in the right direction, but this is still a process that's being worked up on the Hill," Carney said during a media briefing. "And one thing that's paramount in our mind is that whatever actions we take do not in any way harm the economy."
Lawmakers have until Friday to pass another temporary funding measure -- a continuing resolution -- to keep the federal government operational. Movement from both parties has been toward passing a two-week funding bill so negotiations could continue on a financial measure for the remainder of fiscal year 2011, which ends Sept. 30.
Democrats and Republicans are trying to work through differences in the short-term funding measure, which Republicans say must include spending cuts that Democrats are resisting.
"We want to make sure that this continuing resolution that is worked out allows enough time for the negotiations that need to take place to produce a continuing resolution that takes us through the whole fiscal year," Carney said.
To revisit temporary funding every two weeks would be bad for the economy because of the uncertainty and tension it creates.
"The president doesn't want a shutdown, certainly," Carney said.
The press secretary said President Obama has communicated his desire to avoid a shutdown publicly and on several levels with member of the congressional leadership.
"None of us want a shutdown because of the harm it would do to the economy and the uncertainty it would create right now," Carney said.
