US Treasury To Take 'Extraordinary Measures' To Avoid Debt Default

US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen urged Congress to act quickly 'to protect the full faith and credit of the United States' (Credit: AFP)

The US Treasury Department will start taking "extraordinary measures" next week to avoid risking a default on government debt, Secretary Janet Yellen said Friday, days before President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

With the government reaching its borrowing limit, the department would start making the moves on Tuesday, Yellen said in a letter to congressional leaders.