Republicans propose break in impasse over US debt ceiling

The Republican House leadership Thursday proposed a temporary increase in the debt ceiling as a way of breaking a political impasse and deferring a looming US default. In exchange, Republicans would expect a promise of opening a “meaningful dialogue" with President Barack Obama, a Democrat, about budget and spending issues, said Representative Cathy McMorrisRogers. Rogers, a member of the top Republican leadership in the House of Representatives, talked at a press conference after Republicans met behind closed doors to decide the way forward. The time limit on a temporary increase was not clear. A small delegation of Republicans is to meet later Thursday withObama to discuss the proposal. Obama had invited the entire Republican membership in the House - 232 members - but Speaker of the House John Boehner rejected the offer.