Votes on Measures to Adjust the Statutory Debt Limit, 1978 to Present

Justin Murray
Information Research Specialist

Almost all borrowing by the federal government is conducted by the Treasury Department, within the restrictions established by a single, statutory limit (ceiling) on the total amount of debt that may be outstanding at any time. By law, the Treasury cannot exceed federal debt limits, so the Treasury periodically has had to ask Congress to enact new debt limits so it can fulfill its financial commitments. Since 1978, the statutory federal debt limit has been changed 51 times by Congress through the enactment of legislation increasing the federal debt limit, either as stand-alone legislation or as part of legislation dealing with other matters.

This report provides roll call vote data identified by the Congressional Research Service for measures to adjust the statutory debt limit.


Date of Report: May 10, 2011
Number of Pages: 15
Order Number: R41814
Price: $29.95

Follow us on TWITTER at http://www.twitter.com/alertsPHP or #CRSreports

Document available via e-mail as a pdf file or in paper form.
To order, e-mail Penny Hill Press or call us at 301-253-0881. Provide a Visa, MasterCard, American Express, or Discover card number, expiration date, and name on the card. Indicate whether you want e-mail or postal delivery. Phone orders are preferred and receive priority processing.