A House/Senate split over how to pay for the relief means an extension is far from guaranteed despite a promising vote on Tuesday.
A dysfunctional website and cancelled plans are putting pressure on moderates to distance themselves from Obama.
President will visit half a dozen states or more in furious drive to bolster his party in midterm elections.
The government reopened its doors Thursday after a battle-weary Congress approved a bipartisan measure to the shutdown.
Emerging pact would ease dual crises that have sapped confidence in the economy.
Senate's Democratic and Republican leaders closed in on a deal to avoid default.
The United States moved perilously closer to an economy-rattling default.
The Republican-controlled House imposed a one-year delay in key parts of the nation's health care law.
Three-time P.M. vows to prevent Italian left from gaining power despite his conviction for tax fraud and failure to convince Senate colleagues to let him keep seat.
President concedes an intervention would be unpopular, declines to indicate what he'll do if plan is rejected.
