Durbin: feels better that shutdown can be avoided

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Assistant U.S. Democratic Senator Dick Durbin said on Wednesday that he is more optimistic that lawmakers would be able to craft a budget deal that will keep the government operating beyond Friday.

"I feel better about it today than I did yesterday at the same time," Durbin said at a news conference.

(Reporting by Donna Smith; Editing by Sandra Maler)