OPINION

Obama prods Congress on debt deal

The opinions expressed by columnists are their own and do not necessarily represent the views of Townhall.com.
President Obama on Tuesday called on Congress to "do something big" to reduce the federal budget deficit, spurned talk of a short-term deal with Republicans to raise the debt limit and invited leaders to come Thursday to the White House to revive negotiations.

Mr. Obama said he wants to have a deal done within two weeks in order to leave some breathing room ahead of the looming Aug. 2 deadline, when the Treasury Department says the government will run up against the $14.29 trillion debt ceiling and would be forced to suspend some payments.