US government remains shut down as debt default looms

Treasury Secretary Jack Lew warned that the budget brinkmanship was “playing with fire” and implored Congress to pass legislation to re-open the government and increase the nation's USD 16.7 trillion debt limit.

In a series of television appearances, Lew warned that on October 17, he will exhaust the bookkeeping manoeuvres he has been using to keep borrowing.

“I'm telling you that on the 17th, we run out of the ability to borrow, and Congress is playing with fire,” Lew said.

The shutdown has left federal employees on unpaid leave and closed national parks, tourist sites, official websites, office buildings, and more establishments since last Tuesday.