Debt Limit Increases Have Closely Tracked Actual Debt Levels for Decades

Debt Limit Increases and Suspensions, and Debt Subject to Limit, From January 2000 Through September 2026

Note: Debt limit increase values are the level Congress increased the debt limit to on the date of enactment. Debt limit suspension values are the level of debt subject to limit (close of business) on the date of enactment. If the date of suspension fell on a holiday or weekend, Tax Foundation used the close of the prior business day. Debt subject to limit values are as of the end of the fiscal year (September 30). The gray line in the first two panels is the debt subject to limit amounts as an overlay.
Source: Office of Management and Budget, "Historical Table 7.2—Debt Subject to Statutory Limit: 1940–2025"; Office of Management and Budget, "Table 7.3—Statutory Limits on Federal Debt: 1940–Current"; Congressional Budget Office, "Feb. 2026 Historical Budget Data"; Treasury Department, "Daily Treasury Statements."
Download imageGet the data