Washington, Oct 11 (IANS): US President Barack Obama is "happy" with the latest offer from the Republicans in the House of Representatives to raise the government debt ceiling for a short period of time, and this is an encouraging sign, the White House said Thursday.

Earlier Thursday, US House Speaker John Boehner said Republicans planned to offer a temporary short-term debt ceiling increase to negotiate with Democrats, a breakthrough to solve the fiscal impasse that has resulted in a partial federal government shutdown, Xinhua reported.

Obama would sign a "clean" bill to increase the government's debt limit, but the White House doesn't know what exactly House Republicans are proposing and whether the proposal could pass the lower chamber of Congress, Jay Carney, the White House spokesperson added.

Obama "will not pay a ransom" to Republicans. And he has urged US lawmakers to be reasonable in fiscal talks, Carney said.

The president is scheduled to meet with Democratic senators and House Republican leaders Thursday afternoon in the White House.