Across-the-board federal spending cuts began Friday, clearing the way for a series of budget battles that will consume much of Congress's energy and threaten to eclipse other items on President Barack Obama's second-term agenda.
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Close ReutersPresident Obama spoke with reporters Friday after meeting congressional leaders at the White House.
Mr. Obama signed an order late Friday directing $85 billion in cuts to domestic and defense programs, after holding a fruitless meeting with congressional leaders who remained at odds over how to avoid the reductions, known as a sequester.
The president said Friday he wouldn't allow continuing disagreements over spending cuts to derail his broader agenda, but attention now will turn to the next budget deadline�the need to pass a bill extending routine government funding after a stopgap bill expires March 27. Without an extension, a partial government shutdown would occur. The House of Representatives next week is expected to pass a Republican bill that would keep the government operating through September at the spending levels dictated by the sequester.
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- Video: Sequester 101: What Does It Mean?
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