Negotiations stall on Capitol Hill; House leaves, Collins' plan in serious doubt

Negotiations to fully reopen the federal government and increase the debt limit faltered Saturday in the Senate and House – with a proposal by a moderate Senate Republican being rejected, hence postponing any hopes of breakthrough until at least Tuesday-- two weeks after the partial shutdown started.

The plan by Maine GOP Sen. Susan Collins to fund the government for six months and increase the federal debt limit through January was rejected by leaders of the Democrat-led Senate, who purportedly though they were not getting enough in exchange.

The...