Democrats face tough options for raising debt ceiling as US inches closer to Oct. 18 deadline

WASHINGTON – Time is running out for Congress to increase the country’s debt limit and avoid economic chaos, but Senate Democrats face a challenging menu of options to raise the borrowing limit and avoid economic chaos. 

Senate Republicans were expected to block another Democratic attempt to raise the nation's debt ceiling on Wednesday, but the vote was postponed. If that vote fails, it would force Democrats to consider alternatives they've resisted, including a controversial step to bend Senate rules to allow the bill to come to a final vote.