Obama, GOP look at shutdown in a week

David Jackson | USA TODAY

It's a busy week for the White House, one that could end with President Obama and congressional Republicans on the cusp of a government shutdown.

The fiscal year ends next Monday at midnight, and there will be a shutdown unless Obama and the Republicans agree to a spending plan and resolve a dispute over Obama's health care law.

Some GOP members say they will not approve a spending plan unless it defunds "Obamacare," though there is division within the party over this tactic.

Many of these same Republicans say they will also oppose an increase in the debt ceiling without an end to the health care plan.

Obama, and some Republicans, say a debt ceiling impasse will lead to a government default with severe economic consequences.

In a weekend speech at a Congressional Black Caucus dinner, Obama said he will not surrender his health care plan or negotiate over the debt ceiling:

"We will not negotiate over whether or not America should keep its word and meet its obligations. We're not going to allow anyone to inflict economic pain on millions of our own people just to make an ideological point. And those folks are going to get some health care in this country — we've been waiting 50 years for it."

Republicans said they don't want to shut down the government or go into default.

"We want to shut down Obamacare," said Rep. Matt Salmon, R-Ariz., according to the Associated Press.

Expect meetings this week between Obama and congressional Republicans as next Monday's deadline approaches.

Even as he faces another budget impasse, Obama has other items on his plate this week.

The president is at the United Nations on Monday and Tuesday.

As for the economy, Obama may make a big appointment in the coming days: chair of the Federal Reserve. The president is likely to nominate the vice chair, Janet Yellen, to replace Ben Bernanke.

And next week, on Oct. 1, a pivotal moment for the health care law: the opening of marketplace exchanges, the key to financing the plan.