US No Closer to Deals on Debt, Shutdown


US No Closer to Deals on Debt, Shutdown

TEHRAN (Tasnim) - Talks among United States politicians failed to agree to end a partial government shutdown and raise the country's debt ceiling as a deadline looms ever closer.

A Saturday meeting between the Senate Majority Leader, Harry Reid, a Democrat, and the Senate Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, failed to agree measures to raise the country's debt ceiling, which means the country could default on its debts after current legislation runs out on Thursday, sending the world economy into turmoil.

The Senate is due to meet on Sunday, but the House of Representatives is not, meaning Congress will have very little time to reach agreement, Reuters reported.

"Economists say it won't be long before financial markets react negatively to this continued uncertainty," Reid said on the Senate floor. "The life savings of ordinary Americans are at risk."

Among the unresolved issues is the duration of the debt ceiling increase.

House Republicans were pushing for a law that would cover only six weeks, producing another potential showdown in the middle of the Christmas period. Democrats want to push the next debt ceiling deadline at least well into the new year.

There is also still no agreement on law for a new budget, which would end a partial shutdown of government and the temporary layoffs of about 800,000 state workers.

The other issue, the government shutdown, was sparked after the Republican-led house refused to agree a new budget law, insisting it should be tied to the defunding of President Barack Obama's signature healthcare plan.

Dick Durbin, the second-ranking Democrat in the Senate, said the goal was to reach a bipartisan deal in the Senate before financial markets reopen on Monday.

With every passing day, according to opinion polls, Americans' patience has worn thin with Republican tactics that led to the government shutdown, enhancing prospects of a deal.

The shutdown began when Congress missed a October 1 deadline to pass a budget. Republicans have refused to pass a new budget unless President Barack Obama agrees to delay or eliminate the funding of the healthcare reform law of 2010.

The US faces another deadline on Thursday to raise its debt limit.

If a deal is not reached by then, the US faces potential default, a prospect which has caused alarm both domestically and abroad.

 

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