House Speaker John Boehner, R-Ohio, said lawmakers did not strike a budget deal during this morning's meeting with President Obama at the White House, increasing the chances of a federal government shutdown this weekend.
"While there was good discussion, no agreement was reached," said a readout from Boehner's office. But it added that Boehner told Obama that House Republicans "will not be put in a box and forced to choose between two options that are bad for the country."
If the parties cannot agree by Friday, the continuing resolution that is funding the government will expire and the government will shut down except for what are deemed essential services.
The Boehner readout did say that House Republicans are "rallying behind" a one-week extension of the continuing resolution that would cut $12 billion in spending and fund the military through September.
<snip>
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/theoval/post/2011/04/obama-boehner-seek-to-avoid-shutdown/1