The United States debt crisis has forced two senior political leaders out of talks with Prime Minister John Key.
Mr Key, in Washington to meet President Barack Obama and for talks with business and political leaders, was to meet Senate majority leader Harry Reid and minority leader, Mitch McConnell.
However Radio New Zealand reported the pair were replaced by Senators John Kerry and Dick Lugar.
The two leaders who pulled out are at the heart of talks to resolve the debt crisis.
President Barack Obama is leading efforts to resolve the crisis in which Congress must raise the $US14.3 trillion ($NZ16.58 trillion) limit on US borrowing by August 2 or the government will run out of money, causing turmoil in global markets and potentially forcing the US into another recession.
Republicans in the House of Representatives remain the key stumbling block to a deal. Senate Republicans were more willing to compromise and Mr McConnell has offered a proposal which has gained some support.
Before he left New Zealand Mr Key said he could not control the timing of his meeting with President Obama .
"Obviously the president is going to be very busy with these issues but the meeting lasts an hour," he said.
"I'm sure he's capable of focusing on that as well as the other big issues he's facing."
Earlier, Mr Key met Treasury Secretary, Tim Geithner and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano and is scheduled to meet President Obama tomorrow morning NZT.
Mr Key told reporters with him in Washington that an historic visit by United States Marines to New Zealand was possible, Stuff reported.
Mr Key was also to receive a briefing from the Office of National intelligence today.
