US government closer to bankruptcy
In Washington, hopes of avoiding a financial shutdown of the US government are looking even further away.
Transcript
ALI MOORE, PRESENTER: As we go to air tonight crucial all-night meetings between White House staffers and congressional aides have been attempting to avoid a US government shutdown.In meetings held yesterday Democrats and Republicans were seemingly further apart than ever, with president Barack Obama unable to broker a compromise and both sides blaming each other.
In a moment we'll cross to North America correspondent Craig Mcmurtrie in Washington, but first his report.
CRAIG MCMURTRIE, REPORTER: The hours are ticking by, Democrat and Republican leaders are still coming and going from the White House.
Earlier, officials said they were hopeful of avoiding a shutdown, but now Democrats and Republicans can't even agree on what they disagree about.
JOHN BOEHNER, REPUBLICAN SPEAKER: There are a number of issues that are on the table. And any attempt to try and narrow this down to just one or two just would not be accurate.
CRAIG MCMURTRIE: John Boehner insists there is no daylight between him and his conservative Tea Party backed members, who are also demanding a say on where money is spent.
The shutdown fight is also now about abortion.
MIKE PENCE, REPUBLICAN CONGRESSMAN: Liberals in the Senate are threatening to shutdown the government because they want to continue to borrow money from China to underwrite the largest abortion provider in America.
CRAIG MCMURTRIE: Conservatives are demanding restrictions on abortion funding and greenhouse gas regulations.
Furious Democrats are accusing the Tea Party of cheering for a shutdown.
SENATOR HARRY REID, DEMOCRATIC MAJORITY LEADER: This is an extreme agenda that has nothing to do with a funding bill.
PATTY MURRAY, DEMOCRATIC SENATOR: Every woman and every man in this country ought to be saying 'what are you doing?'.
CRAIG MCMURTRIE: House Republicans tried to push through a stopgap funding bill to ensure US troops are still paid. But, after months of similar bandaids, Barack Obama has vowed to veto it.
BARACK OBAMA, US PRESIDENT: We've been working very hard over the last two years to get this economy back on its feet. For us to go backwards because Washington couldn't get its act together is unacceptable.
CRAIG MCMURTRIE: More than budget cuts, this political fight's become an arm-wrestle for the balance of power in Washington. Involving not just the Democrat-led Senate and the Republican-led House, but also the Tea Party within the GOP (Grand Old Party, a colloquial term for the Republican Party), and over the President's ability to control the outcome.
Craig McMurtrie, Lateline.
(abc.net.au)
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