Treasury Secretary Warns of U.S. Debt Default Risk Without Congressional Action

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent has urged Congress to raise the federal debt ceiling by mid-July to prevent a potential default that could disrupt global financial markets. In a letter to lawmakers on Friday, Bessent stressed the urgency, warning there's a "reasonable probability" the U.S. government could run out of cash by August if no action is taken.

The current U.S. national debt has surpassed $36.2 trillion, exceeding the $36.1 trillion cap set by Congress in January. The Treasury Department has been deploying temporary emergency measures to meet its financial obligations, but Bessent cautioned that these stopgaps won’t last much longer.

Bessent emphasized that failing to raise or suspend the debt ceiling would seriously harm the U.S. financial system and weaken the country’s global standing. A debt default could trigger widespread market volatility and damage investor confidence in U.S. Treasury securities, often regarded as the world’s safest assets.

Republican leaders in both the House and Senate are pushing a legislative package that includes tax cuts, increased spending, and a provision to raise the debt limit by at least $4 trillion. They aim to pass the bill before the July 4 holiday.

Historically, debt ceiling negotiations have gone down to the wire, often unsettling markets and prompting credit rating agencies to downgrade U.S. government bonds. With the clock ticking, pressure is mounting on Congress to act swiftly to safeguard economic stability.

Financial analysts warn that prolonged gridlock could increase borrowing costs and hinder economic growth. As the debate intensifies, investors and global markets are closely monitoring Capitol Hill for signs of a resolution to avert a fiscal crisis.