House Republican leaders said Thursday they will propose a temporary increase in the nation's borrowing limit -- a first step toward a potential compromise to end the political stalemate that has shut down parts of the government and threatens a U.S. default as soon as next week.
After meeting with his caucus, House Speaker John Boehner said Republicans want substantive talks with President Barack Obama and Democrats on reducing the nation's chronic federal deficits and debt in return for removing the immediate threat of default.