Obama invites Boehner over to tell him he will not negotiate

U.S. House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said President Barack Obama told congressional leaders at a White House meeting Wednesday "he will not negotiate.

United Press International

Obama invited Boehner, joined by House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., and Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., to meet to discuss Congress' inability to agree on legislation funding the federal government, the government shutdown resulting from that, and the looming expiration of the government's authority to borrow money to pay its obligations.

Boehner -- who accuses Democrats of being unwilling to negotiate key elements of the Affordable Care Act in return for Republican agreement on a spending bill -- said after the meeting, "The president reiterated one more time tonight that he will not negotiate."

Reid said after the meeting he once against urged Boehner to accept Democrats' counter-offer for negotiations once Congress passes a short-term funding bill that does not include a delay in implementing the ACA, commonly called Obamacare.

"What the speaker has to accept is 'yes' for an answer," Reid said.

"We're through playing these little games focused on Obamacare," he said.

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United Press International, October 3, 2013 6:49 am