Live from NPR News in Washington, I'm Lakshmi Singh.

Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen says the U.S. has hit the debt limit and the government

is using what are called extraordinary measures to avoid default.

Here's NPR's David Goura.

In a letter to congressional leadership, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urged lawmakers

to act promptly to raise the debt limit, to protect the full faith and credit of the

U.S.

But so far, there isn't a clear path forward for Congress to do that.

Some Republicans say they intend to use the debt limit as leverage to get spending cuts.

The extraordinary measures the Treasury Department is now taking, including the suspension of investments

in a government retirement fund, will only work for a few months.

Yellen says until early June.

If there's no resolution by then, the U.S. would default on its debt, which would royal

global markets, and have huge economic ramifications.

David Goura, NPR News, New York.

The White House warns there is no room for negotiation on the debt ceiling it has to

be raised.

On Air Force One today, a top U.S. official cited a report that as many as six million

jobs are on the line if the country defaults.

Separately, the White House reacted to news out of New Zealand, where Prime Minister Jacinda

Ardern says she's stepping down next month because of burnout.

Ardern earned international praise for her leadership, especially in the aftermath of

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