Obama cancels trip to Asia over budget impasse

President Obama has cancelled his trip to Asia next week due to the government’s partial suspension of services.

A White House statement issued late Thursday night said Obama, who already had cancelled two stops on the four-country tour, would instead stay in Washington to press for a budget bill.

After blaming Republicans for the government slimdown, the statement said Obama “looks forward to continuing his work with our allies and partners in the Asia-Pacific and to returning to the region at a later date.”

It added he was determined “to continue pressing his case that Republicans should immediately allow a vote to reopen the government.”

Secretary of State John Kerry will lead delegations to both countries in place of the president.

The White House announced earlier this week that Obama would be unable to visit Malaysia and the Philippines because the partial shutdown was impacting personnel needed to set up the stops. On Thursday, he cancelled travel to economic summits in Indonesia and Brunei.

He had been scheduled to leave Washington late Saturday night.

The Associated Press contributed to this report