(MCT) WASHINGTON — President Barack Obama will try to jump-start budget talks Tuesday as he kicks off a series of extraordinary meetings with congressional lawmakers with a huge obstacle to overcome: Personal relationships in Washington don’t matter as they once did.

Obama’s trips to the Capitol come at a crucial time. Funding for most government agencies will run out March 27. Congressional committees will begin writing budgets Wednesday for the next fiscal year, which begins Oct. 1. Just ahead is May 19, when the government is expected to need more authority to borrow.