WASHINGTON (AA) - Prior to a potential meeting with Congressional leaders Monday, US President Barack Obama called on the US Congress to reach an agreement to end the government's on-going shutdown, and raise America's borrowing cap.
Speaking at a Washington charity, Obama said, "this week, we'll be entering into the third week of a government shutdown that was completely unnecessary, and I'm going to have the opportunity to meet, again, with the Congressional leaders this afternoon, and I'm going to, once again, urge them to open the government and make sure that the United States government is paying its bills."
He added: "And, you know, not only is it untenable for us to continue this shutdown, this week if we don't start making some real progress both in the House and the Senate, and if Republicans aren't willing to set aside some of their partisan concerns in order to do what's right for the country, we stand a good chance of defaulting, and defaulting would have a potentially devastating effect on our economy."
US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew has warned that America will reach its $16.7 trillion borrowing limit Thursday, and risks default on its debts if the US Congress does not approve an increase.
Obama was set to meet with Congressional leaders at 3 pm Monday, but the meetings were postponed to allow Senate leaders more time to craft an agreement that would reopen the government and raise the debt limit.
