Deputy Treasury secretary says usage of the 14th amendment to raise debt ceiling is ruled out

Deputy Treasury Secretary Wally Adeyemo told CNN Friday that using the 14th Amendment to raise the debt ceiling is off the table. 

“The question was whether the United States would use the 14th Amendment and I think the president and [Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen] have been very clear that that will not solve our problems now. So, yes, that is a no,” Adeyemo said on "CNN This Morning."

Adeyemo said during the interview that ultimately the responsibility lies with Congress to fix the problem. 

"The solution ultimately rests with Congress to raise the debt limit,"  Adeyemo said. “Congress has the ability to do that, and the president is calling on them to act on that as quickly as possible."

The Democrats for months called for a "clean" debt ceiling increase, while the Republicans have called for a plan that would crack down on government spending.

The U.S. could be forced to default on its debt by June 1, according to Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen. 

A Wall Street Journal editorial this week held a different view, writing that "even if federal spending begins to exceed federal tax revenue sometime in June, as Secretary Yellen says it will, Treasury can prioritize paying interest on Treasury bonds or retiring debt principal when it comes due."

The White House said earlier this week that it has to negotiate with Congress and find a compromise.