US government hits debt ceiling as Biden and House Republicans face off

Treasury secretary says department will take extraordinary measures' to skirt default while also urging Congress to act

The US government has hit the ceiling on its debt, brushing up against its legal limit of $38.381tn and piling pressure on Congress to approve an increase to avoid a debt default in the coming months that would send a shock wave through the global economy.

In a letter to congressional leaders, the treasury secretary, Janet Yellen, said it would begin taking extraordinary measures" to make the government's cash on hand last until Congress acts. These include a debt issuance suspension period" lasting from today until 5 June, as well as suspending investments into two government employee retirement funds.