U.S. debt tops $38 trillion for first time, worsened by government shutdown
The national debt is rising faster than ever and threatens to undermine confidence in the economy, experts warn.
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The national debt is rising faster than ever and threatens to undermine confidence in the economy, experts warn.
Despite President Trump's promise of cuts, the federal government has spent more than $200 billion more in his first 100 days than the same time period last year.
Each presidential candidate is proposing significant changes to the tax code. Here's who would win and lose.
With just two days to spare, President Joe Biden has signed legislation that lifts the nation's debt ceiling.
To pass their debt ceiling deal, House Speaker Kevin McCarthy and President Joe Biden will now have to sell it to their respective parties.
"I respectfully urge Congress to act promptly to protect the full faith and credit of the United States," Yellen wrote to congressional leaders.
Nation is edging closer to statutory debt ceiling of $31.4 trillion. "We are addicted to debt," one expert said.
Fanning the flames of Republican discord, President Donald Trump accused GOP congressional leaders Thursday of botching efforts to avoid an unprecedented default on the national debt.
If elected president, Senator Marco Rubio said he would solve the nation's debt crisis by reforming Medicare, Social Security and forcing Congress to balance the federal budget.
With the government shutdown plan pitched by Senators Marco Rubio, Ted Cruz, and Mike Lee looking less and less likely; the GOP-led House is preparing to threaten to crash the U.S. economy if President Barack Obama and Senate Democrats don't acquiesce to Republican policy demands.
A staggering new Wall Street Journal/NBC News poll showed a plurality of the country was fine with the country crashing through the national debt ceiling.
Senator Marco Rubio is prepared to shut down the United States government if the Affordable Care Act isn't completely defunded by any short-term budget agreement.
Minutes after President Barack Obama finished his annual State of the Union address before a joint session of Congress, Senator Marco Rubio stepped before the cameras and into the national spotlight to deliver the Republican response.
As President Barack Obama and Congressional Republicans continue to fight over issues from spending to guns, the electorate is backing the president on most issues, according to a new Washington Post poll.
As Congressional Republicans and President Barack Obama begin to clash over the raising of national debt ceiling, a plan relying on one or two coins save the nation has started to gain momentum.
The smoke has barely cleared from the prolonged fight over the fiscal cliff on Capitol Hill, but already Congressional leaders and the White House are drawing lines in the sand over the debt ceiling.
MIAMI (CBSMiami) – Much of the talk over the next week will not center around the New Year or football, but instead on the so-called "fiscal cliff." It's a catch-all term that's being applied to a massive round of austerity and tax increases set to go into effect on January 1, 2013. But what exactly makes up the fiscal cliff? It starts with the so-called "Bush Tax Cuts" passed in 2001 and 2004. At the time, then-President George W. Bush pushed through two major tax hikes immediately after the government began running surpluses at the end of the Clinton administration. Bush's tax cuts dropped the rates for all Americans, though Democrats argue they disproportionately helped the wealthiest Americans the most. The tax cuts were set to sunset, or end, in 2010, but another deal between President Barack Obama and Republicans in Congress extended them to December 2012. If both parties can't agree on what to do about the tax cuts, the overall tax rates will revert to what they were in 2000 under President Clinton. According to CBS News, this would impact 88 percent of taxpayers with their taxes rising by an average of $3,500 a year. For a family making between $50,000 and $75,000 a year, the average tax bill would jump by $2,400. The loss of the extra revenue for the families would impact their spending power, which then would hamper businesses, which would turn and cut jobs to continue making profits. But the tax hike in overall rate isn't the only tax that will be impacted. A payroll tax cut was enacted in 2010 to help give the economy some stimulus, but both sides appear willing to let that tax cut expire and let payroll taxes rise by 2 percent in 2013. Tax hikes make up only half of the fiscal cliff. The other half is made up of deep spending cuts/austerity that could cripple the government and contractors nationwide. During the 2011 national debt crisis started by Congressional Republicans, a deal was finally struck to increase the nation's debt limit, but a sequester was put on the military and domestic spending. The sequester was put in place to try and spur government action. As part of the deal, both Republicans and Democrats put together a joint committee to seek trillions in deficit reduction. Republicans refused to allow any tax/revenue increases and Democrats balked at major changes to Social Security and Medicare. When both sides declared failure, the sequester kicked in. It imposes deep spending cuts to domestic discretionary spending as well as deep defense department cuts for military spending. Democrats oppose the discretionary spending and Republicans oppose the defense cuts. According to CBS News, budget cuts of 8-9 percent would hit most of the federal government, from law enforcement to the military to weather forecasting. Only a few areas, like Social Security benefits and Veterans affairs, will be spared the deep cuts. Still, the cuts would be phased in slowly over the next decade, which could help minimize the damage if they are not repealed in early 2013. Even if the nation goes off the "fiscal cliff," Congress can pass tax cuts in early 2013 and make them retroactive to any date they so choose. Congress can also choose to delay or cancel any spending cuts they wish. Some pundits believe this is the likeliest scenario to happen. Because Republicans refuse to allow any tax increases, the belief is that both parties will allow the country to go off the "fiscal cliff." At that point, President Obama can put together a massive tax cut package and send it to Congress. Neither party is likely to oppose a tax cut package, but Obama would have the ability to call for the cuts to be applied to only those making less than $250,000 or another similar level. Republicans and Democrats could quickly pass that measure and both sides could declare victory over the other. The tax rate damage would be averted, but both sides would have to deal with the spending cuts in the sequester. The depth of the spending cuts will likely depend on how much revenue is gained from the tax cuts. Cutting taxes for those below $250,000 and letting the others rise will generate significantly more revenue, which can help minimize the cuts to some degree. However, in exchange for allowing the cuts, Republicans may demand other cuts to programs to offset the overall cost of the cuts. It would create a problem because if Democrats balked at other cuts, Republicans may have to choose between voting against a tax cut, or allowing the cuts to go through without any offsets. One key element of any deal will be the debt ceiling. The last time Republicans wielded the debt ceiling as a weapon, the nation's credit rating was dropped for the first time in history and hit the economy hard. Treasury secretary Timothy Geithner said Wednesday the nation will hit its borrowing limit on December 31. Geithner and the Treasury Department will take "extraordinary" measures to allow the government to keep functioning for a few months. However, at a certain point, Geithner will run out of options. If Congress doesn't authorize a hike in the debt ceiling, the U.S. will default on its bills. This could cripple not only the U.S. economy, but also the global economy. President Obama wants a grand deal on tax cuts and everything to include a two-year automatic extension on the debt ceiling. Republicans have balked at this proposal and another showdown could be in the works in 2013. Republicans will want massive offsets in exchange for any hike in the debt ceiling, which Obama and Democrats are likely to oppose. It all sets up for a very hectic end of 2012 and beginning of 2013. In the middle of it all, a brand new Congress will be sworn in and have to deal with all of the issues immediately if no deal is struck before then, which is looking increasingly less likely. But what exactly makes up the fiscal cliff?
You could call 1248 Coral Way in Coral Gables a one of a kind. Four massive lots on tree lined roadway and a home dating back to 1929. It certainly is a Coral Gables original.
Senate Republicans and a few Senate Democrats are expected to block President Barack Obama's jobs plan Tuesday which includes tax increases on the rich.
Moody's Investor Services has fired another shot across the bow of both the federal government and individual states. Tuesday afternoon, Moody's put five states on review for a downgrade of their credit ratings.
Many in the state of Florida rely on Social Security and Medicare as a lifeline, but as the days countdown to a U.S. default, everyone in the Sunshine State has reason to worry.
As the debt debate continues to threaten to bring down the American economy and way of life; a new poll found that Obama is the best of the worst when it comes to handling the debt and the economy.
As South Florida continues to battle record unemployment, especially in Miami-Dade County, Congressional Republicans continue flirting with having the U.S. default on its debt.
South Florida's seniors may be able to breathe a slight sigh of relief Thursday after senior Republicans in Washington said a controversial plan to overhaul Medicare and Social Security is likely off the table, according to the Washington Post.
Freshman Florida U.S. Senator Marco Rubio put himself in the company of just a few other senators Wednesday when he announced he would not vote to raise the U.S. national debt limit next month.
Two Florida Memorial University football players were arrested after police say they were involved in a dorm room home invasion where a student was beaten and robbed.
Minimum wages are set to rise in 22 U.S. states and 66 cities and counties next year, even as the federal baseline wage remains at $7.25.
Frank Gehry was known for designing the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
The Supreme Court said Friday it will decide the legality of President Trump's executive order that seeks to end birthright citizenship.
Federal regulators are investigating multiple Texas incidents in which the robotaxis drove around stopped school buses.
Two Florida Memorial University football players were arrested after police say they were involved in a dorm room home invasion where a student was beaten and robbed.
The 2026 Men's World Cup will be held across the United States, Canada and Mexico next summer.
Minimum wages are set to rise in 22 U.S. states and 66 cities and counties next year, even as the federal baseline wage remains at $7.25.
Miami Art Week 2025 delivers a full slate of installations, exhibitions and events across Miami, Miami Beach, Wynwood and beyond.
Frank Gehry was known for designing the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
A former prison guard trainee has been sentenced to death for the 2019 execution-style killings of five women inside a Florida bank.
Florida coach Billy Napier is getting a fourth season to try to get the Gators back to their winning ways.
A Florida man has filed a federal lawsuit against Jacksonville sheriff's officers who severely beat him last year after he ran from a traffic stop.
The Marion County Sheriff's deputy told authorities that he accidentally shot and killed his girlfriend while cleaning his gun.
The American Automobile Association said this is a dangerous time of year for young drivers.
The Supreme Court said Friday it will decide the legality of President Trump's executive order that seeks to end birthright citizenship.
A federal judge granted a Justice Department request to unseal grand jury transcripts from a federal investigation in Florida into convicted sex offender Jeffrey Epstein.
A U.S. District Court decision to end the deployment of National Guard members to Washington, D.C., is now on hold.
Investigations released by the Navy into accidents involving the Truman Carrier Strike Group recommended ensuring processes are followed even when faced with adversity.
At least 87 people have been killed since the vessel strikes began in early September.
Jim DeFede investigates the millions of dollars in state funding cuts for meal programs across South Florida.
Jim DeFede interviews Florida Lt. Governor Jay Collins, who is mulling a run for governor in 2026.
Jim DeFede talks with Randi Weingarten about the warning bell she rings in her new book, "Why Fascists Fear Teachers."
Jim DeFede talks with Bryan Calvo, the newly elected mayor of Hialeah.
Jim DeFede interviews Orange County Mayor Jerry Demings, who just announced he's running for governor in 2026.
Experts say the original warnings from more than 20 years ago were based on outdated information and were "overly broad."
Kian Sadeghi, the 25-year-old founder and CEO at Nucleus Genomics, tells "CBS Mornings" that parents have every right to select the qualities and traits they desire in their child.
Louisiana Surgeon General Ralph Abraham, a critic of government vaccine mandates, has been quietly appointed to one of the CDC's top positions.
Consumers with the imported pans should throw them away due to the severe health risks posed by lead, the agency warns.
ByHeart said it can't rule out that all of its baby formula across all product lots could be contaminated, citing recent test results.
These gifts from Stanley, Apple, AllTrails and more won't bust your budget.
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Florida insurance policyholders could be seeing some form of relief in their wallets thanks to market reforms made statewide, Gov. Ron DeSantis said.
The company said Tuesday that 85% of its retail products and "nearly all" of its school offerings are already made without "certified colors."
Less than two days after Delta Air Lines offered $30,000 to each passenger on board the flight that crashed and flipped in Toronto on Monday afternoon, the company is facing its first two lawsuits in the incident — and they likely won't be the last.
Activists are calling for a nationwide boycott of Target stores following the company's decision to roll back its diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Discount store chain Target says it's joining rival Walmart and a number of other prominent American brands in scaling back corporate diversity, equity and inclusion initiatives.
Frank Gehry was known for designing the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao in Spain and the Walt Disney Concert Hall in Los Angeles.
Netflix on Friday said it will acquire Warner Bros., including its film and television studios, HBO Max and HBO.
Stoppard was often hailed as the greatest British playwright of his generation.
Jimmy Cliff, who famously sang about the "many rivers" we all must cross, has died after suffering a seizure and pneumonia, his family say.
Donald Glover, who performs under the moniker Childish Gambino, revealed he suffered a stroke last year, which forced him to cancel his tour.