(CNN) - Even before the group of bipartisan lawmakers meets Wednesday morning in the basement of the Capitol to begin negotiations on a budget deal to avoid another government shutdown, members of both parties say the chances they can reach a deal are pretty low.
Maryland Rep. Chris Van Hollen, the top Democrat on the House Budget Committee and a member of the budget conference committee, told CNN right now he puts the odds at any deal coming out of the panel at "50-50."