The United States has reached its borrowing limit, popularly known as the debt ceiling, raising worries of global market volatility and igniting a budgeting struggle in Congress. The imminent borrowing limit situation is also frightening investors, as any default would have a significant impact on international financial markets. So, what exactly is the borrowing limit, and why is it so important?
What is the debt ceiling?
The debt ceiling governs how much money the United States government can borrow to cover its expenses. However, once the borrowing limit is reached, the Treasury is not allowed to issue any additional bills, bonds, or notes. Tax revenues are the only source of funding in this situation. Currently, the ceiling is roughly 120% of the country’s annual economic production.
Where is the borrowed money used?
The borrowing limit is set by the US Congress and is now set at $31.4 trillion. The federal government borrows money to assist pay for budgeted costs such as social security and Medicare payments, as well as the salaries of US military personnel.
How long can the US govt float?
The US Treasury Secretary, Janet Yellen, indicated last week that without lifting the ceiling, the government could only pay its bills into early June. Yellen stated that “exceptional measures” are currently being utilized to prevent the United States from going into financial default. Yellen’s prediction for the “drop-dead date” is, however, sooner than some experts had expected for the time when the US will have exhausted its borrowing limit.
Many experts anticipate that the debt ceiling could come somewhere in the third or fourth quarter. According to Jonathan Cohn, Head of Rates Trading Strategy at Credit Suisse in New York, the debt ceiling may be hit between September and early November. According to Goldman Sachs, the borrowing limit will be reached between August and October.
Can the US then raise the debt ceiling?
In light of the current situation, the debt ceiling must be lifted to allow the US government to continue making payments and avoid default. However, the political environment is not as favorable. Republicans control the House, but Democrats control the Senate. Congress is hesitant to raise the borrowing limit because doing so could give Republicans power when discussing spending cuts.
Democrats vs. Republicans
Speaking on the debt limit crisis, newly minted US House Speaker Kevin McCarthy told Fox News that the debt ceiling could not be raised indefinitely. “Let us sit down and reform our ways for the sake of America. Because if we don’t change their conduct today, we will bankrupt this country and these entitlements.” On the contrary, White House press secretary Karine Jean-Pierre stated that the administration will not engage in negotiations and that raising the debt ceiling should be done without conditions.
What happens if the debt ceiling isn’t raised?
There could be a lot of consequences if the debt ceiling is not lifted. To begin with, if the US government is unable to borrow more money, existing federal programs will be jeopardized. Second, if this rhetorical fight is not settled and no more action is made to address the matter, investors will begin to tremble. What windeedruly occur? Investors may lose faith in the US currency if the federal government fails to meet its obligations, which would weaken the dollar, cause stock prices to fall, and result in job losses.
2011 political deadlock over the debt ceiling
Due to a political impasse in Washington over the debt ceiling, the United States was on the edge of default in 2011. It triggered a stock market crisis and cost the country its top-tier AAA credit rating from Standard & Poor’s. According to a Goldman Sachs research report, the S&P 500 fell 15% during the 2011 crisis, while corporations with the greatest sales exposure to US federal spending fell 25%.