President Barack Obama had wanted House of Representatives Republicans to talk to him Thursday at the White House. He'll get a few, but not all.
Speaker John Boehner's office announced that it would instead send a "smaller group of negotiators," largely veteran lawmakers and committee chairmen.
"Earlier today it was communicated to the speaker’s office that the president would be inviting the full House Republican Conference to a gathering at the White House tomorrow," said Boehner spokesman Brendan Buck.
"Nine days into a government shutdown and a week away from breaching the debt ceiling, a meeting is only worthwhile if it is focused on finding a solution. That’s why the House Republican Conference will instead be represented by a smaller group of negotiators, including the elected leadership and certain committee chairmen."
Buck explained that "It is our hope that this will be a constructive meeting and that the president finally recognizes Americans expect their leaders to be able to sit down and resolve their differences."
Meeting participants will include Boehner and top House Republican leaders, 17 in all. The House has 232 Republicans.