Obama Out Of Town As Shutdown Looms

Frustrated with Tuesday’s failed meeting with Congressional leaders to reach an agreement on funding the government for the remainder of 2011, President Barack Obama said he wanted to meet again Wednesday to hammer out a deal. The only problem is, the President won’t be here.

Obama is scheduled to leave the White House for Philadelphia where he will hold a town hall discussion with workers from Gamesa Technology Corporation, Inc. Following the stint in Pennsylvania, Obama will head for New York where he will deliver remarks at the National Action Networks Annual Gala. 

Additionally, White House spokesman Dan Pfeiffer said in Twitter message that despite the President’s travel plans, a budget meeting is not off the table. 

“[Obama] is headed to Pennsylvania today for a town hall on energy security. Meeting with congressional leaders on the budget is still possible,” Pfieffer’s tweet read. 

Time is running short on Congress and the White House to come up with a budget deal before Friday when the most recent continuing resolution is set to expire. To make matters worse, even if a deal was made late in the week, the House would not have enough time to schedule a vote on a potential agreement before Friday, increasing the chances of a government shutdown.