Obama invites lawmakers to White House to talk fiscal cliff

Friday, November 9, 2012

photo President Barack Obama walks from Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House Thursday.

WASHINGTON - A White House official says President Barack Obama is inviting Congressional leaders of both parties to the White House next week for talks on how to avoid the so-called fiscal cliff.

Obama will announce the invitations today as he addresses the nation on actions needed to avoid harsh economic consquences from a looming combination of tax increases and spending cuts.

Obama is expected to urge Congress to act, including passing a bill that would prevent Bush-era tax cuts from expiring for all but the wealthiest Americans.

In his address from the White House East Room, Obama is not expected to put forward a specific plan, but instead will call on lawmakers from both parties to work together to tackle the nation's fiscal problems.