U.S. President Barack Obama says it is time to set aside politics and make a deal with both parties in Congress that will allow the United States to keep borrowing money. Mr. Obama spoke to reporters Monday before meeting with opposition Republicans. The Speaker of the House of Representatives, Republican John Boehner, says a budget deal cannot pass the House unless it rules out tax increases and includes deeper cuts in popular social programs for the poor and elderly. Democrats strongly oppose such cuts. VOA’s Laurel Bowman has more.