The US Congress embarked on a weekend mission to strike a deal on a proposed $700 billion bailout of the financial industry before stock markets open on Monday in an attempt to end the greatest financial crisis since the Great Depression. Negotiators worked through Friday night and into Saturday morning while much of the country paused to watch the first debate between the presidential candidates, Democratic Sen. Barack Obama of Illinois and Sen. John McCain of Arizona. Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid said negotiators have made significant progress, echoing optimism expressed by President George W. Bush. After earlier talks collapsed in acrimony, Bush said he was confident that legislation would be passed “very soon.”
