WASHINGTON (AP) — The White House says President Barack Obama urged the leaders of the House and Senate on Saturday to agree on a budget in time to avoid a government shutdown next weekend.
Negotiators are discussing spending cuts in the $33 billion range but haven't agreed on where to make them. Talks were continuing through the weekend. Funding for the government expires at midnight Friday.
Obama says a government shutdown would hurt the economy just as it's beginning to create jobs.
After keeping a low profile and delegating the negotiating to the vice president, his budget director and other White House aides, Obama has begun to step up his involvement and press for a deal as the deadline nears. He said Friday that compromise was within reach.
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