BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) — North Dakota Republican Senate candidate Rick Berg says in order to get federal spending under control, Congress first has to approve a budget.

He says that hasn't been done in three years, and Senate Democrats are blocking the idea.

Democratic candidate Heidi Heitkamp says Congress' failure to approve a budget is "atrocious."

But she says there's plenty of blame for both parties. And Heitkamp say Berg's approach to solving the problem is a partisan one, instead of having Democrats and Republicans work together.

Berg and Heitkamp had their third and final debate at a Bismarck middle school Thursday night. Polls show they're in a tight race to succeed departing Democratic Sen. Kent Conrad.

More than 400 people watched the debate, and it was broadcast live on local radio and television.