Lott vows to avoid government shutdown

WASHINGTON (CNN) -- As Democrats and Republicans continued their bickering over the budget, Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott vowed Sunday to pass temporary spending measures if necessary to keep the government running.

"If we need to stay here, we'll stay here," Lott said on CNN's "Late Edition." "There will be no government shutdown because we'll keep sending continuing resolutions 'til we get our work done."

For weeks, the two parties have sparred over the budget, each accusing the other of playing politics and gunning for a shutdown. Republicans were widely blamed for a shutdown five years ago, and Lott said he's not about to let that happen again.

"My attitude is, look, let's keep working," Lott said. "If we reach the end of the fiscal year and we haven't got all of these bills done, let's pass a short-term or medium extension of the continuing resolution and let's keep working."

Democrats, however, say that Republicans have done little to move the budget process forward, noting that only two of the 13 annual spending bills have been signed into law. The remaining bills are working their way through Congress.

Appearing on Fox News Sunday, John Podesta, the White House chief of staff, said Republicans, who hold a majority in both chambers, had only themselves to blame for the legislative crunch.

Lott, however, said Democrats have put up "roadblocks" to passing bills. He said Republicans would stick to their priorities, including a large tax cut, in negotiations with the White House.

The majority leader said he wouldn't be charmed by President Clinton into giving up his agenda. "You know, a lot of things may happen, but I wouldn't be seduced by him," Lott said.