Congress raises limit again as U.S. debt nears $10 trillion

October 1, 2007
Congress raises limit again as U.S. debt nears $10 trillion

WASHINGTON — As the national debt heads for the $10 trillion mark, generous Americans are
sending checks to the federal government.

Donations to the Bureau of the Public Debt have topped $2.5 million so far this year. That's
the highest amount since at least 1996.

It's not making much of a dent, though.

For the fifth time since 2001, Congress is raising the debt limit, increasing it by $850
billion to $9.815 trillion. The Senate approved the plan on a 53-42 vote Thursday night. The House
of Representatives has already signed off on the plan, without a direct vote.

That's $9,815,000,000,000.00.