Republicans Weigh Raising US Debt Ceiling During Lame-Duck Session

Republican lawmakers are considering raising the federal debt ceiling during the lame-duck session between the November midterm elections and the start of the new Congress. They are also discussing using the budget reconciliation process to pass the measure without Democratic votes.

Walter Bloomberg reported on October 1 that some Republicans are discussing a debt-ceiling increase through budget reconciliation during the lame-duck session. House Budget Committee Chairman Jodey Arrington has put forward a proposal to raise the limit by about $4 trillion.

Congress last year raised the debt ceiling by $5 trillion to $41.1 trillion. The Bipartisan Policy Center said the US would likely reach the limit again sometime between late winter and midsummer of 2027 without additional action by Congress.

The discussions are intended to get ahead of additional federal borrowing needs expected to intensify in 2027. Congress is also approaching a December 11 deadline to pass a government funding bill.