President Barack Obama is challenging Republican lawmakers topresent a plan for a smaller-scale deficit reduction program as heattempts to steer them toward his $4 trillion goal, a Democraticaide said.

Obama plans to hold a press conference at 11 a.m. in Washingtontoday, his fifth public remarks on the debt in a week, as hepresses lawmakers to reach an agreement to raise the $14.3 trillionU.S. borrowing ceiling before an Aug. 2 deadline. The president andbipartisan congressional negotiators agreed to meet every day untilthey reach a deal, said one legislative aide on condition ofanonymity.

They are divided over taxes and entitlements. Republicans rejectDemocrats' call for more tax revenue and instead are pressing tocut entitlement programs such as Medicare and Social Security.Democrats insist even the Republicans' proposal for a smallerdeficit-cutting plan must include more taxes from higher-incomeAmericans. Obama has said he is willing to cut entitlements inexchange for a Republican agreement to increase taxes.