Skip to main content
Back to Show
PBS News Hour

How Does the U.S. Debt Ceiling Work and Why Does it Matter?

The United States government hit the legal limit for the amount of money it can borrow Monday, but Treasury officials say they can take other measures to pay the bills. Ray Suarez discusses questions about how the debt ceiling works and the ongoing political debate with The New York Times' Binyamin Applebaum.

Support Provided By
Season
February 19, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
February 19, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
February 18, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
February 18, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
February 17, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
February 17, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
February 16, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
February 16, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
February 13, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
February 13, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
February 12, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
February 12, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
February 11, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
February 11, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
February 10, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
February 10, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
February 9, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
56:45
February 9, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
February 6, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
February 6, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
February 5, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
57:46
February 5, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
February 4, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
56:44
February 4, 2026 - PBS News Hour full episode
Active loading indicator