Another day has passed in Washington with no deal to reopen the government and raise the debt ceiling to avoid a possible default.
House Republican leaders put off a possible vote on a revised plan, after it became apparent it did not have enough support in the House and would not pass the Senate.
Democratic and Republican Senate leaders, who were waiting to see what the outcome would be in the House, then resumed negotiations on their earlier plan.
Both House and Senate proposals would fund the government and raise the debt ceiling for the short term. But the House plan would make changes in President Barack Obama's health care law. Democrats oppose attaching health care or other issues to any spending bill.
In an interview with WABC television in New York, President Obama appealed to lawmakers to put politics aside and stop inflicting pain on the American people.
Congress' failure to agree on a single bill moved the country closer to a Thursday deadline to raise the debt ceiling so the government can continue to borrow money to pay its bills.
The Fitch credit rating agency placed the U.S. on its "rating watch negative" list Tuesday -- a warning that Fitch could downgrade the government's top "AAA" rating.
The U.S. government shutdown began its third week Tuesday, with all but essential services closed, along with many national parks, museums, and monuments.