expand - Using the debt ceiling as political leverage sets a dangerous precedent, holding the US's full faith and credit hostage to partisan demands, and undermining the stability and reliability of the world's reserve currency. This could have far-reaching consequences for America's standing in the global economy and its ability to project power and influence abroad. To avoid the looming threat of default, the author urges Congress and the White House to work together in a bipartisan manner to raise the debt ceiling in a timely fashion. Failure to do so would be a dereliction of their duty to the American people and the global economy