In a step that could lead to abreakthrough in the drafting of next year's federal budget,
Democratic and Republican members of the House Budget Committee
met behind closed doors to explore the possibility of a
bipartisan budget, lawmakers said.
    No conclusions were reached on whether the two sides would
be able to get together on a budget outline, the lawmakers
said.
    After the meeting broke up, panel Democrats reconvened
behind closed doors for further talks.
 Reuter
