Skip to main content
Back to Show
PBS News Hour

The U.S. debt ceiling, explained

U.S. Senators are deciding how they'll vote on a deal to raise the debt ceiling, after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the first piece of a plan to avoid a default Tuesday night. Leaders in both parties are projecting confidence, but the stakes are high. Congressional correspondent Lisa Desjardins explains why the debt limit has become so political, and what exactly it does.

Sign up now for inspiring and thought-provoking media delivered straight to your inbox.
Support Provided By
Season
December 6, 2020 - PBS NewsHour Weekend full episode
23:59
December 6, 2020 - PBS NewsHour Weekend full episode
December 4, 2020 - PBS NewsHour full episode
57:46
December 4, 2020 - PBS NewsHour full episode
November 29, 2020 - PBS NewsHour Weekend full episode
24:33
November 29, 2020 - PBS NewsHour Weekend full episode
November 28, 2020 - PBS NewsHour Weekend full episode
23:59
November 28, 2020 - PBS NewsHour Weekend full episode
November 21, 2020 - PBS NewsHour Weekend full episode
26:36
November 21, 2020 - PBS NewsHour Weekend full episode
November 15, 2020 - PBS NewsHour Weekend full episode
25:31
November 15, 2020 - PBS NewsHour Weekend full episode
November 14, 2020 - PBS NewsHour Weekend full episode
30:29
November 14, 2020 - PBS NewsHour Weekend full episode
November 8, 2020 - PBS NewsHour Weekend full episode
27:07
November 8, 2020 - PBS NewsHour Weekend full episode
November 7, 2020 - PBS NewsHour Weekend full episode
27:13
November 7, 2020 - PBS NewsHour Weekend full episode
October 31, 2020 - PBS NewsHour Weekend full episode
26:35
October 31, 2020 - PBS NewsHour Weekend full episode
October 18, 2020 - PBS NewsHour Weekend full episode
26:40
October 18, 2020 - PBS NewsHour Weekend full episode
October 17, 2020 - PBS NewsHour Weekend full episode
26:35
October 17, 2020 - PBS NewsHour Weekend full episode
Active loading indicator