Back to Show
Washington Week
From the Vault: 2011 Debt Ceiling Debate
We look back in the Washington Week Vault to the last fight to raise the debt ceiling in 2011 when a deal was reached just 2 days before U.S. borrowing authority lapsed. The deal included significant cuts in spending, but the cantankerous debate resulted in the first-ever downgrade of the U.S. credit rating.
Support Provided By
26:46
Full Washington Week with the Atlantic broadcast from May 8, 2026.
26:46
Full Washington Week with the Atlantic broadcast from May 1, 2026.
26:46
Full Washington Week with the Atlantic broadcast from April 24, 2026.
0:00
Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, 4/17/26
26:46
Full Washington Week with the Atlantic broadcast from April 10, 2026.
26:46
Full Washington Week with the Atlantic broadcast from April 3, 2026.
26:46
Full Washington Week with the Atlantic broadcast from March 27, 2026.
26:46
Full Washington Week with the Atlantic broadcast from March 20, 2026.
24:10
Full Washington Week with the Atlantic broadcast from March 13, 2026.
26:46
Full Washington Week with the Atlantic broadcast from March 6, 2026.
24:10
Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, 2/27/26
26:46
Washington Week with The Atlantic full episode, 02/20/26