Thursday, October 10, 2013

Boehner offers debt extension; interim resolution?

news-national-20131010-US--Budget.Battle

WASHINGTON (AP) — Facing a fresh deadline, House Speaker John Boehner said Thursday that Republicans would vote to extend the government's ability to borrow money for six weeks — but only if President Barack Obama first agrees to fresh negotiations on spending cuts. Under the Republican plan, the partial government shutdown would continue in the meantime.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, following a 90 minute meeting with Obama, appeared to throw cold water on the plan. Asked whether Democrats would negotiate with Republicans with the government shuttered, he declared, "Not going to happen."

Earlier, the White House had said Obama "would likely sign" a short term extension of the debt cap and did not rule out his doing so even if the government remained partly closed. But the White House made no promises that Obama would hold negotiations under those circumstances.

"He will not pay ransom in exchange for the Republicans in the House doing their job," said spokesman Jay Carney.

Boehner and other House GOP leaders were headed to the White House late Thursday for their own meeting with Obama.  

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