A March 1 deadline looms. That's when deep, automatic federal spending cuts are set to kick in. The president is asking for a small package that the White House says would give Congress more time to reach a permanent solution to budget problems.

The "No Budget, No Pay" act would withhold lawmakers' pay if they don't pass a new budget by April 15. In exchange, Republicans say, the borrowing limit would be extended into May. That would avoid another battle over raising that borrowing ceiling.

Even after Congress' action to avert part of the "fiscal cliff," business owners remain cautious about hiring and expanding. Those that are growing cite the underlying economy, but others say uncertainty about government spending is keeping them wary.

As if the federal budget process isn't confusing enough, now it's being complicated by a partisan war on Capitol Hill. What's really going on?