US House and Senate divided over debt ceiling issue

Senate leader Harry Reid is now seeking a vote on a rival plan he proposed.

The US risks defaulting on its financial obligations if a federal budget deal is not struck by 2 August.

The Boehner plan includes some $900bn of spending cuts and would raise the debt ceiling by a similar amount.

However it would require another vote during mid-2012 and includes language in support of a so-called "balanced budget amendment" to the US constitution - both rejected by the White House and the Senate leadership.

The House vote was delayed from Thursday after Mr Boehner struggled to win over a number of staunchly conservative Republicans, including newly elected representatives who back the Tea Party.

The plan eventually passed the House by 218-210, with 22 Republicans and every Democrat voting against.

Before the vote, Mr Boehner told congressman the plan advanced the "great cause" of a balanced budget amendment.

Mr Boehner appeared heated in front of his colleagues in the House, slamming his fist on a podium on Friday evening and calling for lawmakers to pass his proposal.

Mr Boehner said Republicans had tried their "level best" to reach a deal.

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