Progressives push for action on debt ceiling as risks mount.

Progressive Democrats are increasing pressure in the debt-ceiling talks as economic risks of bipartisan brinkmanship mount. Ratings agency Fitch put the US on credit watch ahead of a possible downgrade, and yields on Treasury bills due in early June surged above 7%. Rising liberal unrest with the negotiations was highly evident in back-to-back press conferences that featured the Congressional Progressive Caucus followed by the Democratic House leadership speaking in often heated terms about what they see as an untenable position from the Republicans. Many on both the left and right are likely to end up voting no to a possible deal, and the question could quickly become whether there will be enough in the middle to pass it through both chambers of Congress.