Obama Is Meeting With Congressional Leaders Today On The Shutdown And Debt Ceiling

AP

President Barack Obama has invited Congressional leaders to a meeting at the White House to discuss the ongoing government shutdown and the debt ceiling, White House spokeswoman Amy Brundage said.

Obama has invited Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, House Speaker John Boehner, and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi to the White House.

Michael Steel, a spokesman for Boehner, said the Speaker had accepted the invitation.

"We're pleased the president finally recognizes that his refusal to negotiate is indefensible. It's unclear why we'd be having this meeting if it's not meant to be a start to serious talks between the two parties," Steel said in a statement.

The federal government is in the second day of its first partial shutdown in 17 years. The debt ceiling needs to be raised by Oct. 17.

More to come...