Yellen Hints at a ‘Few Days’ of Room After Debt-Limit Deadline

  • Treasury secretary supports permanent repeal of ceiling
  • Comments offer more details beyond letter earlier in week
Yellen spoke before the U.S. House Financial Services Committee.
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Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen suggested Thursday that the U.S. government may have a few days of cash left after the Oct. 18 date she gave earlier this week before a potential default linked to the debt limit.

“It will be impossible for Treasury on that day, or a few days thereafter” to pay the nation’s bills since cash flow will be “limited” and “will be run down quickly,” she said in response to questions during a hearing before the House Financial Services Committee.