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Washington - Republican senators met with President Barack Obama for about 90 minutes on Friday about a looming deadline to raise the debt ceiling and the ongoing government shutdown, now in its 11th day.
As they boarded buses to return to Capitol Hill, senators did not respond to shouted questions from journalists standing outside the White House.
US House of Representatives Republicans are waiting a White House response to their latest offer to raise the US borrowing authority, a senior House Republican aide said earlier on Friday.
The aide did not provide details on what was in the House Republicans' offer, which likely is being discussed now at the White House in a meeting President Barack Obama is having with Senate Republicans.
Meanwhile, Republican Representative Tom Cole, who is close to House Speaker John Boehner, told reporters: "If he (Obama) signals back that he is willing to sign a short-term deal" on the debt limit, Republicans would move to negotiate a reopening of the government.
"I don't know why you couldn't have a short term (increase) in the debt ceiling secured this weekend or very early next week," said Cole, who as a House majority deputy whip helps round up votes in support of party leaders.
"And if you are in negotiations, I don't know why you couldn't have the government opened next week," Cole added.
