North Carolina 4th District Congressman David Price says he remains hopeful that budget issues can be resolved and avoid another round of automatic spending cuts.

Price says he is concerned about the alternative.

"Then we really are looking at another round of the across the board sequestration - mindless cuts which will do great damage. So a lot is riding on this."

A conference committee is trying to hammer out a compromise ahead of a mid-January deadline where additional cuts would kick in..