Debt Limit since 2011

"Total federal debt can increase in two ways. First, through debt increases when the government

sells debt to the public to finance budget deficits and acquire the financial resources needed to

meet its obligations. This increases debt held by the public . Second, through debt increases when

the federal government issues debt to certain government accounts, such as the Social Security,

Medicare, and Transportation trust funds, in exchange for their reported surpluses. This increases

debt held by government accounts. The sum of debt held by the public and debt held by government accounts is the total federal debt..."

Debt limit