(CNN) -- One week before a potential government shutdown, Senate Democrats for the first time reacted positively to an offer from House Republicans that would keep the government running for two more weeks while cutting $4 billion. "The plan the Republicans are floating today sounds like a modified version of what Democrats were talking about" in a proposal made to Republicans Thursday, said Jon Summers, a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada. However, the Democratic offer Thursday was slightly different in that it was related to a longer-term spending bill that would last until October 1, the beginning of the new fiscal year.
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Deal would keep government running for two more weeks while cutting $4 billion
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Cantor says cuts would come from terminating some programs from Obama's budget, eliminating earmarks
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Democrats have accused Republicans of wanting indiscriminate budget cuts
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Boehner expects the measure will pass the House early next week
Republicans said the cuts they are offering are intended to find common ground with @placeholder.