WASHINGTON (AFP) - US President Barack Obama on Tuesday told House Republicans to stop making threats and pass a budget, which would bring an end to a crippling government shutdown.

"Members of Congress and the House Republicans in particular don't get to demand ransom in exchange for doing their jobs. Two of their very basic jobs are passing a budget and making sure that America's paying its bills," Mr Obama told a press conference.

"Let's lift these threats from our families and our businesses and let's get down to work."