House Democrats Push for Debt-Limit Increase Amid Looming Default Date.

House Democrats are using a discharge petition to force a vote on a bill to increase the debt limit, bypassing Republicans who refuse to raise it without spending cuts. The bill, filed by Rep. Mark DeSaulnier, includes various Democratic wishes and was referred to 20 committees, allowing Democrats to use it as a shell bill for the discharge petition. Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen warned the U.S. could run out of money to pay its bills as soon as June 1, and a default could hurt financial markets, 401(k)s, and government programs such as Social Security and military salaries.