Debt ceiling talks stall as Congress leaves town.

With just four days left before June 1, when the US could default on its obligations, negotiations between Congress and the White House on the debt ceiling are ongoing, with signs that some of the most stringent positions are beginning to soften. While progress is slow, negotiations between staff have been productive and respectful, and the lack of a meeting with principles today is a sign that work is still ongoing. The scope, terms, and order of voting are all in play, and leaks have been rare as both sides try to build trust. A deal in principle or framework needs to be hammered out by sometime late next week, aides have said.