US lawmakers fight over spending on disasters, threaten to derail government finances

US lawmakers fought on Friday over a federal spending bill and the provision of $3.65 billion in aid to victims of natural disasters, with the Democratic-dominated Senate voting 59-36, setting aside the proposal.

The Republican-controlled House of Representatives had a day earlier passed the proposal 219-203, but Democrats blocked the bill, which sought spending cuts in projects favoured by the latter.

But the impasse threatens to partially shut down the federal government on October 1 and the Federal Emergency Management Agency will also run out of money later this month. The Democrats are opposed to the $1.6 billion spending cuts proposed by the Republicans to offset the disaster aid.

Democratic Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid set up a procedural vote for a compromise bill and urged Republicans to hold talks over the weekend to help partisan tempers "cool off."

''Let us work together to find common ground,'' said Reid. ''These Americans who are suffering from natural disasters all across the country are counting on us to do just that. We need to find a solution. I'm confident we can.''

''The only path to getting assistance into the hands of American families immediately is for the Senate to approve the House bill,'' said Republican House Speaker John Boehner. ''This is no time for delay.''