Obama Won't 'Back Off' on Debt-Reduction Effort

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - President Barack Obama will not back off in his efforts to solve U.S. debt problems and will make the case to congressional leaders in talks Sunday for taking on "this critical challenge," the White House said Saturday.

"We need a balanced approach that asks the very wealthiest and special interests to pay their fair share," White House Communications Director Dan Pfeiffer said in statement after House of Representatives Speaker John Boehner abandoned efforts to reach a $4 trillion deficit reduction deal and proposed pursuing a more modest package.