Upton: 'Constructive' GOP discussion with Obama

photo Rep. Fred Upton, R-Mich., chairman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, right, and House Ways and Means Committee Chairman Dave Camp, R-Mich., third from right, and other lawmakers, walk to a closed-door Republican strategy session at the Capitol in Washington in this Oct. 8, 2013, file photo.

ST. JOSEPH, Mich. - Michigan U.S. Rep. Fred Upton says a Republican congressional delegation held a "constructive discussion" at the White House with President Barack Obama and says more talks are underway to avert a federal debt limit crisis and end the government shutdown.

The St. Joseph Republican and Rep. Dave Camp of Midland were among 18 leading GOP lawmakers who visited Obama on Thursday. Upton chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee and Camp the House Ways and Means Committee.

In a joint statement, the 18 Republicans said they "laid out the House proposal to temporarily extend the debt limit, formally appoint budget negotiators, and begin immediate discussions over how to re-open the government."

The White House calls it "a good meeting" and expresses hope for more progress.

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