Summary

Every candidate and representative states that they are opposed to increasing the US debt and that overall spending needs to be lowered. However, most of those representatives still votes to increase the national debt ceiling when necessary. The "Debt, Deficit, Spending, and the Size of Government" tab for each representative shows their stated viewpoints on the national debt and the size of government. Some representatives believe that the size of government should be reduced while others believe that taxes need to be increased to increase revenue.

This page explains the current and recent history of the national debt. It shows the debt level for the US since 1990, and describes the legislation that has been enacted to increase the debt ceiling. Also listed below are the key votes on those debt ceiling increases that will appear under each representatives profile, and additional legislation which will show up in the representative's profile if they were a co-sponsor.

 

Legislation

 

Budget Control Act of 2011	Official Summary	Bill Text
Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2010 (Debt Increase)	Official Summary	Bill Text
Statutory Debt Increase	Official Summary	Bill Text
American Recovery and Reinvesment Act of 2009	Official Summary	Bill Text
Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of 2008 (TARP)	Official Summary	Bill Text
Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 (Bush Stimulus)	Official Summary	Bill Text
Statutory Debt Increase	Official Summary	Bill Text
Budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2006	Official Summary	Bill Text
Statutory Debt Increase	Official Summary	Bill Text
Statutory Debt Increase	Official Summary	Bill Text
Statutory Debt Increase	Official Summary	Bill Text
Balanced Budget Act of 1997	Official Summary	Bill Text
Statutory Debt Increase	Official Summary	Bill Text
Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993	Official Summary	Bill Text
Statutory Debt Increase	Official Summary	Bill Text
Statutory Debt Increase	Official Summary	Bill Text

 

Debt Held by the Public

Each year, the federal government takes in funds from taxes, surpluses in the social security system, and revenue from the postal service. It refers to these funds as "Revenues". It then uses these funds to pay for all it's expenses, which it refers to as "Outlays." The difference between the Revenue and the Outlays is made up with bonds which the US owes as debt. It is referred to as "Debt Held by the Public" or "Public Debt." This is money that the federal government owes other entities. These entities could be companies, countries, or individuals that purchased those bonds.

The chart below shows the Revenues, Outlays, and Public Debt going back to 1990. A table shown as an appendix shows additional information going back to 1971. Note that in the late 1990's Revenues exceeded Outlays and the yearly amount leftover (referred to here as the deficit) was actually positive and the overall debt level was decreased. In recent years, increased spending and lowered Revenues has led to deficits over a trillion dollars.

 

 

The National Debt and the Debt Ceiling

Not all of the money that the federal government takes in as Revenues is meant to be spent as Outlays. Some of this money is meant to be held for a future use, but an IOU is put in is place. This is the case with surpluses in the social security system. The total national debt is the combination of the public debt, described above as the difference between the total revenues and total outlays, and the intragovernmental holdings. Intragovernmental holdings are debt amounts representing U.S. Treasury securities held in accounts which are administered by the United States Government. This is debt that the federal government owes itself. The most common form of this type of debt is when the government uses the social security surpluses to fund the yearly functions. 

So the National debt is a combination of the debt owed to entities separate from the US government (Public debt) and debt owed to entities within the US government (Intragovernmental Holdings).

The chart below shows the combined total of the Public Debt and the Intragovermental holdings in relation to the debt ceiling. The debt ceiling is the maximum amount of money that the federal government can legally owe at any given time. Legislation is required to increase this amount. 

 

Debt Ceiling Increases

Since 1990, the debt ceiling has been raised 15 times by Congress. Most of these increases were permanent, with a temporary extension in 1993. The debt ceiling as of April 2011 was $14.294 trillion. If no action is taken, another increase to the debt ceiling will be needed in 2011. Many newly elected representatives have stated their hesitance to vote in favor of this increase. 

Although Congress has often passed legislation to specifically increase the debt limit, it often includes raising this limit within other legislation. This was done with the Stimulus and the TARP legislation. The following chart and list show the increases to the debt ceiling and the legislation that was used pass those increases.

Public Law 112-25 - Budget Control Act of 2011

Hailed as the great compromise of 2011, Republicans and Democrats came together to raise the debt ceiling over 2 trillion dollars, and create a super committee to oversee budget cuts. The law was signed just before the US surpassed it's debt limit. It passed the House in roll call 690 by a margin of 269-161. The next day, it passed the Senate in roll call 123 by a margin of 74-126.

Public Law 111-139 - Debt ceiling increase to $14.294 trillion

On February 12, 2010 public law 111-139 was enacted for the purposes of addressing PAYGO rules and increasing the statutory limit on federal debt to $14.294 trillion. In the House, the legislation passed in roll call 48 in 2010. The Senate passed the measure in roll call 14 in 2010.

Public Law 111-123 - Debt ceiling increase to $12.394 trillion

On December 28, 2009 public law 111-123 was enacted to allow the federal government to continue operating by increasing the debt ceiling to $12.394 trillion. The House passed this legislation in roll call 988 in 2009. The Senate passed the legislation in roll call 397 in 2009.

Public Law 111-5 - Stimulus - Debt ceiling increase to $12.104 trillion

On February 17, 2009 public law 111-5 was enacted. This legislation was otherwise known as the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act or "The Stimulus." Within that legislation was language to increase the statutory limit of the debt to $12.104 trillion (31 USC 3101. SEC 1604). The Senate passed the stimulus in roll call 61 in 2009. The House passed the legislation in an appropriations bill in roll cal 46 in 2009.

Public Law 110-343 - TARP - Debt ceiling increase to $11.315 trillion

On October 3, 2008 public law 110-343 was enacted. This legislation was the Emergency Economic Stabilization Package - otherwise known as the Troubled Asset Relief Program or TARP or "the bailout." Within section 122, the ceiling on the national debt was increased to $11.315 trillion. The TARP legislation passed the House in roll call 681 in 2008. It passed the Senate in roll call 213 in 2008.

Public Law 110-289 - Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008

On July 29, 2008 public law 110-289 was enacted. This legislation was the Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008. Within section 3083 of the legislation is language to increase the statutory limit on the public debt to $10.615 trillion. The House passed the legislation in roll call 832 in 2008. The Senate passed the legislation in roll call 96 in 2008.

Public Law 110-91 - Budget and Debt Ceiling Increase to $9.815 trillion

On September 29, 2007, public law 110-91 was enacted. This legislation was solely an increase in the debt ceiling to $9.815 trillion. The Senate passed the measure as a separate vote as roll call 354 in 2007. The House passed it as part of the budgetary legislation for that year in roll call 377 in 2007.

Public Law 109-182 - Debt Ceiling Increase to $8.965 trillion

On March 20, 2006, public law 109-182 was enacted. In the Senate, this legislation was passed on it's own in roll call 54 in 2006. In the House, the legislation was passed as part of the budget for 2005 in roll call 149 in 2005. The legislation increased the debt ceiling to $8.965 trillion.

Public Law 108-415 - Debt Ceiling Increase to $8.184 trillion

On November 19, 2004, public law 108-415 was enacted. This legislation was solely an increase to the debt ceiling and was passed separately in each chamber. The House passed it in roll call 536 in 2004. The Senate passed it in roll call 213.

Public Law 108-24 - Budget and Debt Ceiling Increase to $7.384 trillion

In May of 2003, public law 108-24 was enacted. This legislation was an increase to the national debt ceiling to $7.384 trillion. In the Senate, the legislation was passed as an open vote to increase the debt ceiling in roll call 202. In the House, the increase was passed as part of the budget for the year in roll call 141.

Public Law 107-99 -  Debt Ceiling Increase to $6.4 trillion

On June 28, 2002, public law 107-99 was signed into law. The legislation was an act solely to increase the debt ceiling to $6.4 trillion. The legislation passed the Senate in roll call 148, and passed the House in roll call 279.

Public Law 105-33 - Balanced Budget Act - Debt Ceiling Increase to $5.95 trillion

On August 5, 1997, public law 105-33 was enacted. This legislation was titled the Balanced Budget Act of 1997. The legislation originally passed the House in roll call 241 and was passed through the Senate with unanimous consent. The House then passed a conference report in roll call 345 and passed the Senate in roll call 209.

Public Law 104-121 - Debt Ceiling Increase to $5.5 trillion

On March 29, 1996, public law 104-121 was enacted. This legislation was a straight forward increase to the debt ceiling. It passed the House in roll call 102, and was unanimously passed by the Senate. 

Public Law 103-66 Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993 - Debt Ceiling Increase to $4.9 trillion

Public law 103-66 was enacted on August 10, 1993. This legislation was the Omnibus Budget Reconciliation Act of 1993. It originally passed the House in roll call 199 and the Senate on roll call 190. After the initial passage, the conference report passed the House on roll call 406 and the Senate in roll call 247.

Public Law 103-12 - Debt Ceiling Increase to $4.370 trillion

On April 6, 1993, public law 103-12 was enacted. This legislation was a temporary increase in the debt ceiling to $4.370 trillion. The legislation passed the House in roll call 133. The Senate passed the legislation unanimously with no vote.

Public Law 101-350 - Debt Ceiling Increase to $4.145 trillion

On November 5, 1990, public law 101-350 was passed. This legislation was passed through the House on August 3 in roll call 313. Only a voice vote was taken in the Senate and no record was taken.

 List of all increases

• November 5, 1990      - Permanent increase to $4,145,000 Million
• April 6, 1993                 - Temporary increase to $4,370,000 Million
• August 10, 1993          - Permanent increase to $4,900,000 Million
•  March 29, 1996          - Permanent increase to $5,500,000 Million
• August 5, 1997            - Permanent increase to $5,950,000 Million
• June 28, 2002             - Permanent increase to $6,400,000 Million
• May 27, 2003              - Permanent increase to $7,384,000 Million
• November 19, 2004   - Permanent increase to $8,184,000 Million
• March 20, 2006          - Permanent increase to $8,965,000 Million
• September 29, 2007 - Permanent increase to $9,815,000 Million
• July 29, 2008              - Permanent increase to $10,615,000 Million
• October 3, 2008         - Permanent increase to $11,315,000 Million
• February 17, 2009     - Permanent increase to $12,104,000 Million
• December 28, 2009  - Permanent increase to $12,394,000 Million
• February 12, 2010     - Permanent increase to $14,294,000 Million

   

Debt by Party

The chart below shows the total national debt as a function of time, and the party in control of each chamber of Congress for that time as represented by blue or red.  It can be seen that the Republicans took control of both the House and Senate in the 1994 elections and began to balance the budget with President Clinton. This is indicated by the slope of the curve representing the national debt leveling out. When President Bush is elected, the debt begins to increase at a steady rate that continues after the Democrats win both chambers in the 2006 elections. After the election of President Obama, the slope of the curve indicating the growth of the national debt increases sharply.

 

A Balanced Budget Amendment

To address the ever-increasing levels of spending, many legislators have sought to pass an amendment to the Constitution to force the federal government to balance the budget each year. Although this legislation has not been voted on, it is introduced in each session of Congress. If a representative has sponsored or co-sponsored such legislation, 

 

Significant Votes

The votes below are considered significant for this subject. If the representative you are viewing was in office during this vote, it will appear in their profile under the Debt, Deficit, Spending, and the Size of Government tab. These votes are either on a balanced budget initiative, the passage of a budget, or an increase to the national debt.

House Votes on Debt, Deficit, Spending, and the Size of Government

Year	Roll Call	Legislation
1990	313	TO PROVIDE FOR A TEMPORARY INCREASE IN THE PUBLIC DEBT LIMIT
1993	133	Debt Ceiling Increase to $4.37 trillion
1996	102	Debt Limit Extension
1997	345	Balanced Budget Act - Debt Ceiling Increase to $5.95 trillion
2002	279	Debt Ceiling Increase to $6.4 trillion
2003	141	Debt Ceiling Increase to $7.384 trillion
2004	536	Debt Ceiling Increase to $8.184 trillion
2005	149	Budget - Debt Ceiling Increase to $8.965 trillion
2007	832	Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 - Debt Ceiling Increase to $10.615 trillion
2007	377	Congressional Budget - Raising the Debt Ceiling to $9.815 trillion
2008	681	TARP - Debt Ceiling Increase to $11.315 trillion
2009	988	Increasing the Debt Ceiling to $12.394 trillion
2009	46	Stimulus - Debt Ceiling Increase to $12.104 trillion
2010	48	Debt Ceiling Increase to $14.294 Trillion
2011	858	Balanced Budget Amendment
2011	690	Budget Control Act of 2011
2011	606	Cut, Cap, and Balance Act of 2011
2011	379	Increasing the statutory debt limit
2011	20	Return to 2008 Spending Levels
2012	372	Braun Amendment to Cut Spending
2012	371	Gosar Amendment to Cut Spending
2012	368	Polis Amendment to Cut Spending
2012	346	Broun Amendment to Cut Spending
2012	337	Flake Amendment to Cut Spending
2012	336	Mulvaney Amendment to Cut Spending
2012	335	Blackburn Amendment to Cut Spending
2012	334	Chabot Amendment to Cut Spending
2012	329	Burgess Amendment to Cut Spending
2012	317	McClintock Amendment to Cut Spending
2012	315	McClintock Amendment to Cut Spending
2012	311	McClintock Amendment to Cut Spending
2012	310	Chaffetz Amendment to Cut Spending
2012	222	Broun Amendment to Cut Spending
2012	221	Blackburn Amendment to Cut Spending
2012	219	Scott Amendment to Cut Spending
2012	218	Westmoreland Amendment to Cut Spending
2012	217	Flake Amendment to Cut Spending
2012	211	Broun Amendment to Cut Spending
2012	209	Harris Amendment to Cut Spending
2012	208	Quayle Amendment to Cut Spending
2012	207	Pompeo Amendment to Cut Spending
2012	206	Scalise Amendment to Cut Spending
2012	204	McClintock Amendment to Cut Spending
2012	203	Broun Amendment to Cut Spending

  

Senate Votes on Debt, Deficit, Spending, and the Size of Government

Year	Roll Call	Legislation
1997	209	Balanced Budget Act - Debt Ceiling Increase to $5.95 trillion
2002	148	Debt Ceiling Increase to $6.4 trillion
2003	202	Debt Ceiling Increase to $7.384 trillion
2004	213	Debt Ceiling Increase to $8.184 trillion
2006	54	Debt Ceiling Increase to $8.965 trillion
2007	354	Increasing the debt ceiling to $9.815 trillion
2008	96	Housing and Economic Recovery Act of 2008 - Debt Ceiling Increase to $10.615 trillion
2008	213	TARP - Debt Ceiling Increase to $11.315 trillion
2009	61	Stimulus - Debt Ceiling Increase to $12.104 trillion
2009	397	Increasing the Debt Ceiling to $12.394 trillion
2010	14	Increasing the Debt Ceiling to $14.294 Trillion
2011	123	Budget Control Act of 2011
2011	116	Cut, Cap, and Balance Act of 2011

 

Additional Legislation

Each year, there are numerous bills introduced that are not voted on in the House or Senate. These bills may be sponsored by numerous people and a representative's co-sponsorship of that legislation gives insight into that person's viewpoints.

Senate Bills on Debt, Deficit, Spending, and the Size of Government

Session	Bill Number	Co-Sponsors	Bill Title
112	S 1025	37	Reduce Unnecessary Spending Act of 2011
112	S 251	16	A bill to prohibit the provision of Federal funds to State and local governments for payment of obligations
112	S 360	19	To reduce the deficit by establishing discretionary spending caps for non-security spending.
112	S 1340	37	Cut, Cap, and Balance
111	S 897	1	Limitation on Government Spending Act of 2009
111	S 10	15	Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2009
111	S 2938	28	Erasing our National Debt Through Accountability and Responsibility Plan Act of 2010
111	S 3474	26	Reduce Unnecessary Spending Act of 2010
111	S J Res 27	16	Constitutional Amendment - Balanced Budget
110	S J Res 24	3	Constitutional Amendment - Balanced Budget
110	S 2166	26	Jubilee Act for Responsible Lending and Expanded Debt Cancellation of 2008
110	S 15	26	Stop Over Spending Act of 2007
110	S 2070	18	Government Shutdown Prevention Act
109	S 851	18	Fiscal Responsibility for a Sound Future Act
105	S J Res 1	61	Constitutional Amendment - Balanced Budget
105	S 261	37	Biennial Budgeting and Appropriations Act
104	S J Res 1	46	Constitutional Amendment - Balanced Budget
104	S 208	3	Right to Know Act

 

House Bills on Debt, Deficit, Spending, and the Size of Government

Session	Bill Number	Co-Sponsors	Bill Title
112	H R 93	0	To make 10 percent across-the-board rescissions in non-defense, non-homeland-security, and non-veterans-affairs discretionary spending for each of the fiscal years 2011 and 2012.
112	H R 94	0	To make 5 percent across-the-board rescissions in non-defense, non-homeland-security, and non-veterans-affairs discretionary spending for each of the fiscal years 2011 and 2012
112	H R 95	0	To make 15 percent across-the-board rescissions in non-defense, non-homeland-security, and non-veterans-affairs discretionary spending for each of the fiscal years 2011 and 2012
112	H R 155	6	Government Reform Act of 2011
112	H R 188	0	Government Spending Responsibility Act
112	H R 413	15	Defense and Deficit Reduction Act
112	H R 421	68	Full Faith and Credit Act
112	H J Res 1	121	Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States
112	H J Res 2	204	Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States
112	H J Res 4	2	Proposing a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution of the United States
112	H J Res 5	2	Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to control spending
112	H J Res 11	16	Proposing an amendment to the Constitution of the United States to balance the Federal budget
112	H R 2560	118	Cut, Cap, and Balance
111	H J Res 1	147	Constitutional Amendment - Balanced Budget
111	H J Res 1	147	Constitutional Amendment - Balanced Budget
111	H R 2920	158	Statutory Pay-As-You-Go Act of 2009
111	H R 4262	85	CAP the DEBT Act
111	H Res 949	55	Statutory Limit on Public Debt
111	H J Res 79	53	Constitutional Amendment - Balanced Budget
111	H R 4871	48	Spending Reduction Act of 2010
111	H R 5008	43	Targeted Deficit Reduction Act of 2010
111	H J Res78	0	Constitutional Amendment - Balanced Budget
111	H R 3140	34	Reducing Barack Obama's Unsustainable Deficit Act
111	H J Res 73	9	Balanced Budget Amendment
110	H J Res 1	164	Constitutional Amendment - Balanced Budget
110	H R 2686	52	Budget Enforcement and Accountability Act of 2007
109	H J Res 22	30	Constitutional Amendment - Balanced Budget
108	H J Res 22	133	Constitutional Amendment - Balanced Budget

 

Public Debt back to 1970