Stalemate in Washington as clock ticks

From: Euronews | Jul 31, 2011

Less than 24 hours after the US Senate rejected a Republican plan to end the country's debt stalemate, the House has returned the favour, throwing out a Democrat bill.

Optimists say this opens the way for real negotiations to avoid a catastrophic default.

But frustration is clearly growing.

Democratic Representative Sander Levin commented to the House: "This is a disgraceful moment. What you're doing with this bill is to undermine thew chances for compromise. That's what you're doing."