US budget negotiations have fallen apart in acrimony, leaving in limbo the efforts of the White House and Congress to avert a debt default just 10 days before the Treasury could run out of cash to pay its bills.
John Boehner, Republican speaker of the House of Representatives, informed President Barack Obama that he was breaking off the talks shortly before 6pm local time. He accused the president of making a last-minute demand for more tax revenues than had been agreed.
“It’s the president who walked away from his agreement and demanded more money at the last minute,” said Mr Boehner. He said working with the White House was like “dealing with a bowl of Jello”… (more)
