Obama Meeting with Congressional Leaders Postponed

(AP) Obama meeting with congressional leaders postponed
By JOSH LEDERMAN
Associated Press
WASHINGTON
The White House says a meeting between Obama and congressional leaders has been postponed to give Senate leaders more time to resolve a standoff over the nation’s debt and the partial government shutdown.

Obama was scheduled to meet Monday afternoon at the White House with the Democratic and Republican leaders in the House and Senate. A new day or time for the meeting wasn’t announced.

The delay comes as all sides are expressing optimism that they are getting closer to an agreement to end the two-week partial shutdown and avert a potential default on the U.S. debt.

The last meeting between Obama and the congressional leaders was Oct. 2.

THIS IS A BREAKING NEWS UPDATE. Check back soon for further information. AP’s earlier story is below.

President Barack Obama is sounding an optimistic note saying there has been progress in the Senate toward resolving a standoff over the nation’s debt and the partial government shutdown. But he cautions that if Republicans don’t cooperate, “we stand a good chance of defaulting.”

Obama’s remarks came as the Senate’s Republican and Democratic leaders were holding talks in hope of finding an agreement. Obama invited the bipartisan leadership of the House and Senate to the White House Monday afternoon.


The charity food kitchen, Martha’s Table, is also offering assistance to federal employees who are not being paid and need emergency aid.

The visit comes at the start of the third week of the shutdown and just three days before the Treasury says Congress must increase the nation’s borrowing limit or risk a government default.


The leaders scheduled to attend the White House meeting are Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker John Boehner and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi. Vice President Joe Biden is also scheduled to attend.

The last meeting between Obama and the congressional leaders was Oct. 2.

The White House says Obama will reiterate his desire for Congress to pass bills to reopen the government and raise the debt ceiling. The White House also says he will make clear that he “will not pay ransom” for lawmakers taking those steps.