McConnell calls for end to US debt 'charade'

Efforts to resolve the United States debt crisis before Tuesday's deadline have run into more problems.

The House of Representatives, which is controlled by the Republicans, has rejected a Democrat bill designed to raise the country's $14-trillion dollar borrowing limit and prevent the federal government defaulting on its debts.

Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell, who held a joint news conference with House Speaker John Boehner, who called for an end to the ''charade'' and for talks to ''get serious''.