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U.S. Debt Nears $39 Trillion Amid Shutdown Threat

1/20/2026

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Summary

Story summary

The U.S. Treasury Department reports the debt at about $38.5 trillion, nearing $39 trillion.
By end of 2025, the federal debt stood at $37.64 trillion, up $2.17 trillion from 2024.
Current appropriations expire at month’s end, prompting Congress to draft a spending bill to avert another government shutdown.
The U.S. Joint Economic Committee Republicans estimate the debt increases by about $71,800 per second.

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Story summary

The U.S. Treasury Department reports the debt at about $38.5 trillion, nearing $39 trillion.
By end of 2025, the federal debt stood at $37.64 trillion, up $2.17 trillion from 2024.
Current appropriations expire at month’s end, prompting Congress to draft a spending bill to avert another government shutdown.
The U.S. Joint Economic Committee Republicans estimate the debt increases by about $71,800 per second.