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.
A brush fire in the Everglades west of Tamarac has grown to about 180 acres and remains 0% contained Sunday evening. No road closures or air quality alerts have been issued.
Atlanta native Druski makes history as the youngest-ever host of the BET Awards on Sunday night, marking a major milestone for the comedian and internet star.
As emergency aid pours into Venezuela following a series of devastating earthquakes, thousands of South Florida volunteers are stepping up to help families affected by the disaster.
The World Cup knockout stage is set, and some teams might feel like they've drawn the short straw.
A 14-year-old boy has died and another teen is in critical condition after two separate near-drowning incidents occurred Saturday evening, according to authorities.
A brush fire in the Everglades west of Tamarac has grown to about 180 acres and remains 0% contained Sunday evening. No road closures or air quality alerts have been issued.
Atlanta native Druski makes history as the youngest-ever host of the BET Awards on Sunday night, marking a major milestone for the comedian and internet star.
CBS Miami, Neighbors 4 Neighbors and Global Empowerment Mission are collecting donations to help families affected by the devastating earthquakes in Venezuela.
As emergency aid pours into Venezuela following a series of devastating earthquakes, thousands of South Florida volunteers are stepping up to help families affected by the disaster.
The World Cup knockout stage is set, and some teams might feel like they've drawn the short straw.
In courtroom testimony, Shandelle Maycock recounted the harrowing night her daughter was abandoned in the Everglades, describing the horrors they endured.
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 U.S. military says it hit Iranian targets over Iran's drone attack on a commercial vessel in the Strait of Hormuz, marking the first American strikes on Iran since the two countries formally agreed to extend a ceasefire last week.
A judge on Thursday ordered the Justice Department to either release unredacted versions of several files on the late sex offender Jeffrey Epstein or explain why it can't do so.
The president and his conservative allies have stymied other legislation as they unsuccessfully try to pass a voting regulations bill that lacks even simple majority support in the Senate.
The Supreme Court on Thursday said the Trump administration can move forward with its efforts to strip more than 356,000 Syrian and Haitian immigrants of temporary protections.
The Trump administration on Wednesday sent Congress a long-awaited supplemental funding package to help cover the cost of the Iran war.
On Thursday, Governor Ron DeSantis announced the closing of Alligator Alcatraz, the highly controversial immigration detention center that was the subject of numerous lawsuits as well as allegations of abuse.
The 29-year-old attorney is hoping to stand out from the pack by going after young voters.
More than two decades after voters were promised a new facility to treat people with mental illnesses, rather than warehousing them in the county jail, the Miami-Dade County Commission gave final approval on Tuesday to open the Miami Center for Mental Health and Recovery.
There are seven Democrats in the race and whoever wins the primary in August will almost certainly be elected to Congress, since this is the most Democratic district in the state.
Democratic CFO candidate Annette Taddeo says she is running to strengthen oversight of Florida's insurance industry and better protect homeowners.
Gallup found that only 49% of Americans were "cost-secure" last year, with concerns about medical bills and prescription costs rising across income groups.
Dr. Peter Stafford was working with a missionary group in the Congo when he came down with the virus last month.
The FDA is moving ahead with a safety study of the abortion pill mifepristone, a senior FDA official confirmed to CBS News, a step that could create a path for the Trump administration to restrict access to the medication.
U.S. government plans to open a quarantine center for Americans exposed to Ebola on an air base in Kenya have been temporarily halted by a court order.
The head of the World Health Organization says Ebola has killed at least 7 people in Congo, but the U.N. agency says it knows the epidemic "is much larger."
AARP is sounding the alarm because it is so easy to fall for these schemes, but there are simple things everyone can do to protect themselves.
A lawsuit filed late last month took Chicago-based McDonald's to task over the McRib sandwich, calling its name a form of false advertising.
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.
Carín León sees the World Cup as something that pulls different cultures together.
There appear to be new clues about the location of Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce's wedding.
Clive Davis helped shape the careers of music stars including Janis Joplin, Bruce Springsteen and Whitney Houston.
Claude Guillemot and a flight instructor were flying in a twin-motor Cessna 421 on Friday evening. An investigation into the crash is underway.
James Burrows directed more than 1,000 episodes of television, including every episode of the original "Will & Grace."