WASHINGTON (AP) — The Senate's Democratic and Republican leaders traded blame for the debt standoff Thursday, as the House prepared to vote on the GOP's plan to raise the nation's borrowing limit before a Tuesday deadline.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said from the Senate floor that House Republicans are controlled by a tea party faction that refuses to compromise.

Republican Leader Mitch McConnell, meanwhile, put the blame on Senate Democrats, saying they plan to block the only proposal that might pass.

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They spoke under crushing pressure to strike a deal before the nation starts running out of money to pay bills. A key difference between the proposals is how long they would last. The Democratic version extends the debt limit through 2012, while the GOP bill would last until later this year.

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