BUDGET BATTLE: IS THE GOVERNMENT ON THE BRINK OF A SHUTDOWN?

Tea Party Supporters Say $33 Billion Figure Not Enough; Democrats, Republicans Find Little Common Ground Members of parliament are working behind congested doors to hash out a deal to fund the management for the remainder of the fiscal year as federal workers nervously prepare contingency plans.

But just five days away from the deadline, the threat of a government shutdown looks more real than it has in recent weeks at the same time as pressure from the Tea Partyand conservative lawmakers mounts. Democratic source indicated last week with the purpose of the two sides had agreed $33 billion would be slashed from the 2011 budget. But the GOP leadership has downplayed those reports amid call from their caucus that the number is far from acceptable.

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