(MCT) — WASHINGTON — Armies of lawmakers from both parties are sending signals that they stand ready to back a bipartisan deficit reduction compromise, giving President Barack Obama and House Speaker John Boehner an instant base of support if they can reach an agreement.

Rank-and-file members of the Senate and House of Representatives from both parties have been meeting privately to discuss cooperation. They’re not talking specifics. Their aim is to provide, sometimes in writing, assurance that if negotiators hammer out an agreement perceived as fair, “we’ll have their back,” said Rep. Heath Shuler, D-N.C., one of the effort’s organizers.