WATCH: Jen Psaki holds White House briefing

The White House said Wednesday it is continuing to press for a long-term suspension of the debt limit and not a move to just “kick the can down the road a couple of more weeks.”

Watch Psaki’s remarks in the player above.

Press Secretary Jen Psaki spoke shortly after Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell told Democrats he would allow an emergency debt limit extension into December, edging back from a perilous standoff by offering a potential path to avoid a federal default.

A procedural vote on legislation that would suspend the debt limit for two years was abruptly delayed, and the Senate recessed so lawmakers could discuss next steps.

The deal would also will allow Republicans to avoid the blame they would have gotten from some quarters for blocking a vote on the longer extension.

While Democratic senators signaled late Wednesday they were receptive to McConnell’s offer of an emergency extension into December, the White House pushed back on the idea.

“If we’re looking at the best options, why kick the can down the road a couple of more weeks? Why create an additional layer of uncertainty? Why not just get it done now? That’s what we’re continuing to press for, and that’s our first choice,” Psaki said.

The emerging agreement sets the stage for a sequel of sorts in December, when Congress will again face pressing deadlines to fund the government and raise the debt limit before heading home for the holidays.

Congress has just days to act before the Oct. 18 deadline when the Treasury Department has warned it would quickly run short of funds to handle the nation’s already accrued debt load.