<|begin_of_text|><|begin_of_text|><|begin_of_text|>WASHINGTON (Reuters) - U.S. Treasury Secretary Jack Lew on Sunday warned Congress against manufacturing a crisis over federal spending in the months ahead, as looming deadlines set the stage for a repeat of the political deadlock which two years ago triggered worldwide financial<wm> crisis.

**US Treasury Secretary calls for avoiding default - warning**
Lew issued statements at the press conference. "The urgency is already too high" for a crisis and to urge lawmakers not to be so quick on spending plans and to work more swiftly. **US Treasury officials warn of potential disaster if default happens**, as Washington struggles to agree on how to cope with a massive spending backlog. **Congress must settle bills** before January 14. Lew emphasized the need for a resolution before spending funds become</wm> a crisis point of contention, and for lawmakers' resolve to act.

**President Trump and Congress's