COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) -- House and Senate members remain deadlocked over a budget compromise, days from a looming government shutdown.

The impasse is still over a tax break for small business owners.

Both the House and Senate conferees offered new proposals Monday, putting them further apart.

When the committee adjourned late Friday, the stalemate was over a $40 million difference in the chambers' $6.7 billion spending plans. The House wanted a $60 million immediate cut. The Senate wanted to phase it in over three years.

The House offered Monday to split the difference, giving $40 million immediately and phasing in the rest.

But the Senate rejected that, saying the relief needs to be targeted to small business owners reporting lower profits. House members accuse senators of introducing a new idea late in the process.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)