Still, Senate Budget Committee Chairman Kent Conrad, a North Dakota Democrat, cast doubt on the options under discussion.
"I have not yet heard a package that I believe is credible in dealing with the debt that builds off of the McConnell plan," he said.
Senior financial regulators came to the Capitol to highlight the economic consequences of a U.S. government default.
Geithner said there is "no way to give Congress more time" on lifting the debt ceiling. He commented after meeting with Senate Democrats.
"The eyes of the country are on us and the eyes of the world are on us and we need to make sure we stand together and send a definitive signal that we are going to take the steps necessary to avoid default," he said.