Talks between US House Republicans and President Biden's administration about raising the debt ceiling have paused, risking a catastrophic default. The Treasury Department has warned that the government could be unable to pay all its bills by June 1st if a deal is not agreed. The lead Republican negotiator stated talks were unproductive and have decided to “press pause”. Biden was in Japan attending a meeting of the Group of Seven wealthy nations as Republicans criticised his decision to leave during such a sensitive time. The debt limit needs to be lifted regularly because the government spends more than it takes in taxes.