WASHINGTON (AP) — Officials say President Barack Obama has invited the top House budget writers for lunch at the White House.

Obama has a lunch date Thursday with the Budget Committee chairman, Republican Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin, and Ranking Democrat Chris Van Hollen of Maryland. Ryan was the GOP's vice presidential candidate last year.

The lunch follows Obama's dinner Wednesday night with a dozen GOP senators. The president is trying to build support among rank-and-file Republicans for starting talks on a long-term deficit reduction deal.

He previewed a plan this week to erase federal deficits without raising taxes. Obama has insisted that higher taxes be part of any measure.

The White House and congressional officials requested anonymity because they were not authorized to publicly discuss the private lunch.