What does hitting the debt ceiling mean for the US?

What does hitting the debt ceiling mean for the US?

Failing to raise the debt limit would have economic consequences, according to the Treasury
Failing to raise the debt limit would have economic consequences, according to the US Treasury. Photo: Mandel NGAN / AFP/File
Source: AFP

PAY ATTENTION: Enjoy reading our stories? Join YEN.com.gh's Telegram channel for more!

The United States hit its borrowing cap of $31.4 trillion in January, prompting the start of measures to avoid a default as Democrats and Republicans head towards another clash on raising or suspending the country's debt limit.

The policy tussle comes to the fore later Wednesday when President Joe Biden and Republican Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy meet at the White House. McCarthy is demanding steep budget cuts in exchange for raising the debt ceiling.

Amid the high-stakes brinksmanship, Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen said her department would turn to resources from two funds for retirees as part of the "extraordinary measures" it started using to give the government some room to continue to function.

Here is what you need to know about the situation:

Is the US in default?

The short answer is no.

Read also

EU unveils plan to counter US green subsidies, China competition

PAY ATTENTION: Click “See First” under the “Following” tab to see YEN.com.gh News on your News Feed!

The debt limit is a legally established maximum on how much the United States can borrow to pay the government's bills, for everything from social welfare programs to salaries for the military.

Once the ceiling is reached, the Treasury begins to draw down cash balances and use accounting techniques that allow the government to continue operations, said Mickey Levy of Berenberg Capital Markets.

The threat of a default surfaces once these temporary measures are exhausted, which the Treasury said is likely around mid-year.

"The period of time that extraordinary measures may last is subject to considerable uncertainty," warned Yellen in a letter on January 19.

How serious could this be?

Failing to raise the debt limit once temporary measures are exhausted would have dire economic consequences, according to the Treasury, as it would lead the government to an unprecedented default.

Read also

US Fed set to slow rate hikes but signal inflation fight not over

There could be a shutdown of some government functions, and even approaching a breach of the limit could roil markets.

For now markets have remained calm, with Edward Moya of trading platform OANDA noting the process regularly "goes down to the wire."

A default would hurt the United States' credibility and global standing, and investors could ask for higher interest rates to lend money to the government, adding to authorities' payments.

Not meeting the government's obligations "would be catastrophic for America's working families and lead to higher costs," warned Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer last month.

Why is there gridlock?

Congressional lawmakers have found themselves gridlocked over raising the debt limit, an issue that has increasingly sparked contentious debate in recent years.

Republicans, who control the House of Representatives, are calling for spending cuts in exchange for support in raising the debt ceiling.

But President Joe Biden has said he would not negotiate with Republicans who threaten to use the debt problem for leverage, saying it should not be "political football."

Read also

Biden, Republican leader clash -- with US economy at stake

Speaker McCarthy, for his part, called it "a sign of arrogance if you say you wouldn't even discuss it."

The situation points to a heightened chance of an extended standoff. The government has previously come close to a default over gridlocks on funding.

Is a default likely?

"The probability of government default on its debt is close to nil," Levy said. But the battle over raising the limit could become protracted.

Since 1960, Congress has acted 78 times to permanently raise, temporarily extend, or revise the definition of the debt limit. This has happened under both Republican and Democratic presidents.

Even if political maneuvering brings a partial government shutdown, "various budgetary work-arounds will allow the government to continue servicing its debt, conducting basic services including defense, and providing funding for Social Security and entitlement programs," Levy said.

What is the Treasury doing?

The Treasury said it would be unable to fully invest a portion of the Civil Service Retirement and Disability Fund, with a "debt issuance suspension period" to last until early June.

Read also

Most Asian markets rebound from losses after Wall St rally

Treasury will also halt additional investments of amounts credited to the Postal Service Retiree Health Benefits Fund, Yellen added.

But she stressed "federal retirees and employees will be unaffected by these actions" and the funds will be "made whole" once the impasse is over.

There have been calls to end the legal limit in recent years, with analysts calling the brinksmanship unnecessary.

New feature: Сheck out news that is picked for YOU ➡️ click on “Recommended for you” and enjoy!

Source: AFP

Authors:
AFP avatar

AFP AFP text, photo, graphic, audio or video material shall not be published, broadcast, rewritten for broadcast or publication or redistributed directly or indirectly in any medium. AFP news material may not be stored in whole or in part in a computer or otherwise except for personal and non-commercial use. AFP will not be held liable for any delays, inaccuracies, errors or omissions in any AFP news material or in transmission or delivery of all or any part thereof or for any damages whatsoever. As a newswire service, AFP does not obtain releases from subjects, individuals, groups or entities contained in its photographs, videos, graphics or quoted in its texts. Further, no clearance is obtained from the owners of any trademarks or copyrighted materials whose marks and materials are included in AFP material. Therefore you will be solely responsible for obtaining any and all necessary releases from whatever individuals and/or entities necessary for any uses of AFP material.