The United States House of Representatives passed a bill raising the government’s debt ceiling on Wednesday, May 31, advancing the legislation to the Senate six days before US’s default deadline.

US President Joe Biden said the passage was “a critical step forward to prevent a first-ever default and protect our country’s hard-earned and historic economic recovery.”

Republican Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy also hailed the bill as a win.

“It’s not how you start. It’s how you finish,” McCarthy said following the vote. "Tonight, I hope we proved it to you again that we put the citizens of America first.” Credit: United States House of Representatives via Storyful