Voter frustration grows as debt deadline looms

By HENRY C. JACKSON

WASHINGTON

Americans are growing anxious as Congress continues debate on whether to raise the government's debt ceiling and under what conditions.

Voters have been besieging Capitol Hill by the thousands, through phone calls, emails and picket lines. Most say they want Congress to strike a deal ahead of Tuesday's deadline.

Lawmakers and aides say people on virtually every side of the debate have chimed in, from those who don't want the debt ceiling raised or who favor sharp budget cuts to those who want to raise taxes on the rich and points in between.

Robert Lydon, a pipefitter from Cohasset, Mass., typifies many. He says he's tired of the gamesmanship and wants Washington to strike a deal.

He blames both political parties and says, "They're fiddling while Rome is burning."