Harry Reid and Nancy Pelosi

Obama, Democratic leaders huddle as shutdown threat looms

A partial shutdown will occur Oct. 1 unless lawmakers provide money to keep the federal government functioning. A few weeks later, Congress likely will need to vote to raise the debt ceiling so that the government can borrow money to meet its existing financial commitments.

Obama's meeting with Sen. Harry Reid and Rep. Nancy Pelosi occurs as the Senate's top Republican, Sen. Mitch McConnell of Kentucky, is promising that there will be no government shutdown.