(MCT) — WASHINGTON — As House Republicans struggle to resolve their differences over how to deal with deep automatic budget cuts set to take effect in three weeks, Senate Democrats have largely sided with President Barack Obama’s call for a mix of spending cuts and revenue increases.

Obama traveled to Annapolis, Md., on Wednesday to meet with Senate Democrats at their private retreat and spent an hour working the room. Democrats appear to have embraced his call for a balanced approach, believing Americans prefer that to the austerity measures proposed by Republicans, according to Senate aides who asked not to be identified so they could talk about the internal discussions.