Harry Reid

Senate reaches bipartisan deal on US debt, budget

Sen. Kelly Ayotte also said the House of Representatives might vote first on the plan to speed its way through Congress and put it on President Barack Obama's desk for signing before Thursday's default deadline.

Obama furious, Republicans defensive as US govt shuts down

If nothing else, some Republicans also conceded it was impossible to use funding legislation to squeeze concessions from the White House on health care. "We can't win," said Sen. John McCain, the 2008 Republican presidential candidate.

US debt plan stalls, Obama seeks Plan B