Deadlock gets worse in US shutdown

The political stalemate that partially shut down the US government has worsened with Democrats rejecting the latest Republican effort to negotiate over efforts to derail the health care overhaul.

In a 54-46 party-line vote, the Democrat-controlled Senate turned aside the Republican House of Representatives’ request to name negotiators to a conference to resolve differences. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said he would not negotiate as long as Republicans were using the tactic of holding up the straightforward spending bill which would keep the government operating.