Harry Reid offers plan to end shutdown and conference on budget after government reopens

By STEVE CONTORNO | OCTOBER 2, 2013

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has a "new" offer for House Republicans: Fund the government, and then we can negotiate.  The Nevada Democrat sent House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, a letter Wednesday pledging to put everything on the table during budget talks, including tax reform and health care. But he won't name conferees unless the House gives the Senate a "clean" resolution to temporarily fund government at current levels.

"He doesn't even have to vote for it," Reid said shortly after the two leaders spoke on the phone. "He can vote against it."

But Boehner immediately shrugged off Reid's offer.

"Offering to negotiate only after Democrats get everything they want is not much of an offer," Boehner spokesman Michael Steel said…..To Read More….