Publication

Almost all borrowing by the federal government is conducted by the Treasury Department. By law, the Treasury cannot exceed federal debt limits, so the Treasury periodically has had to ask Congress to enact new debt limits so it can fulfill its financial commitments. Since 1978, the statutory federal debt limit has been changed 53 times by Congress through the enactment of legislation adjusting the federal debt limit. This report provides roll call vote data identified by the Congressional Research Service for measures to adjust the statutory debt limit.