Democrats push to force debt ceiling vote in face of GOP opposition.

House Democrats are initiating a discharge petition to force a vote to increase the debt limit if negotiations between President Biden and Republicans collapse. The Treasury Department has projected that it could exceed its legal authority to borrow to pay the government’s debt as early as June 1, leading to a disastrous default. Democrats say the discharge petition keeps pressure on Republican leaders to strike a deal or face a potential revolt among their more politically vulnerable members who could pay a price with voters if they are seen as helping to push the country into default.