US Debt Ceiling History 1940-Present
|
Debt Ceiling Changes Since 1940
| Republican President | 54 Debt Ceiling Changes |
| Democratic President | 37 Debt Ceiling Changes |
| Republican Senate Majority | 22 Debt Ceiling Changes |
| Democratic Senate Majority | 69 Debt Ceiling Changes |
| Republican House Majority | 9 Debt Ceiling Changes |
| Democratic House Majority | 82 Debt Ceiling Changes |
1) 54 Stat. 526
June 25, 1940
Notes: Amended sec. 21, adding new authority for issuance of $4 billion National Defense Series obligations outstanding
New Limit: $49.0
Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
2) 55 Stat. 7
February 19, 1941
Notes: Amended sec. 21, eliminating authority for $4 billion of National Defense Series obligations and increasing limitation to
New Limit: $65.0
Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
3) 56 Stat. 189
March 28, 1942
Notes: Amended sec. 21, increasing limitation to
New Limit: $125.0
Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
4) 57 Stat. 63
April 11, 1943
Notes: Amended sec. 21, increasing limitation to
New Limit: $210.0
Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
5) 58 Stat. 272
June 9, 1944
Notes: Amended sec. 21, increasing limitation to
New Limit: $260.0
Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
6) 59 Stat. 47
April 3, 1945
Notes: Amended sec. 21, including obligations guaranteed as to principal and interest by the United States and increasing limitation to
New Limit: $300.0
Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
7) 60 Stat. 316
June 26, 1946
Notes: Amended sec. 21, defining face amount of savings bonds to be current redemption value and decreasing limitation to
New Limit: $275.0
Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
8) 68 Stat. 895
August 28, 1954
Notes: Increasing sec. 21 limitation by $6 billion during period beginning August 28, 1954, and ending June 30, 1955
New Limit: $281.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: R
House Majority: D
--
9) 69 Stat. 241
June 30, 1955
Notes: Amended act of August 28, 1954, extending increase in limitation until June 30, 1956
New Limit: $281.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
10) 70 Stat. 519
July 9, 1956
Notes: Increased sec. 21 limitation by $3 billion during period beginning July 1, 1956, and ending June 30, 1957
New Limit: $278.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
11) 72 Stat. 27
February 26, 1958
Notes: Increased sec. 21 limitation by $5 billion during period beginning February 26, 1958, and ending June 30, 1959
New Limit: $280.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
12) 72 Stat. 1758
September 2, 1958
Notes: Amended sec. 21, increasing limitation to $283 billion, which with temporary increase of February 26, 1958 made limitation
New Limit: $288.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
13) 73 Stat. 156
June 30, 1959
Notes: Amended sec. 21, increasing limitation to $285 billion and increased sec. 21 limitation by $10 billion during period beginning July 1, 1959, and ending June 30, 1960
New Limit: $295.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
14) 74 Stat. 290
June 30, 1960
Notes: Increased sec. 21 limitation by $8 billion during period beginning July 1, 1960, and ending June 30, 1961
New Limit: $293.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
15) 75 Stat. 148
June 30, 1961
Notes: Increased sec. 21 limitation by $13 billion during period beginning July 1, 1961, and ending June 30, 1962
New Limit: $298.0
Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
16) 76 Stat. 23
March 13, 1962
Notes: Increased sec. 21 limitation by $2 billion (in addition to temporary increase of $13 billion in act of June 30, 1961) during period beginning March 13, 1962, and ending June 30, 1962
New Limit: $300.0
Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
17) 76 Stat. 124
July 1, 1962
Notes: Increased sec. 21 limitation during the periods:
New Limit: $ Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
18) 77 Stat. 90
May 29, 1963
Notes: Increased sec. 21 limitation during the periods:
New Limit: $ Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
19) 77 Stat. 131
August 27, 1963
Notes: Increased sec. 21 limitation during the period beginning September 1, 1963, and ending November 30, 1963, to
New Limit: $309.0
Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
20) 77 Stat. 342
November 26, 1963
Notes: Increased sec. 21 limitation during the periods:
New Limit: $ Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
21) 78 Stat. 225
June 29, 1964
Notes: Increased sec. 21 limitation during the period beginning June 29, 1964, and ending June 30, 1965, to
New Limit: $324.0
Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
22) 79 Stat. 172
June 24, 1965
Notes: Increased sec. 21 limitation during the period beginning July 1, 1965, and ending June 30, 1966, to
New Limit: $328.0
Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
23) 80 Stat. 221
June 24, 1966
Notes: Increased sec. 21 limitation during the period beginning July 1, 1966, and ending June 30, 1967, to
New Limit: $330.0
Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
24) 81 Stat. 4
March 2, 1967
Notes: Increased sec. 21 limitation during the period beginning March 2, 1967, and ending June 30, 1967, to
New Limit: $336.0
Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
25) 81 Stat. 99
June 30, 1967
Notes: Sec. 21 amended to increase limitation on aggregate outstanding at any time to
New Limit: $358.0
Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
26) 83 Stat. 7
April 7, 1969
Notes: Amended sec. 21, increasing limitation to $365 billion, and increased sec. 21 limitation by $12 billion during period beginning April 7, 1969, and ending June 30, 1970
New Limit: $377.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
27) 84 Stat. 368
June 30, 1970
Notes: Amended sec. 21, increasing limitation to $380 billion, and increased sec. 21 limitation by $15 billion during period beginning July 1, 1970, and ending June 30, 1971
New Limit: $395.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
28) 85 Stat. 5
March 17, 1971
Notes: Amended sec. 21, increasing limitation to $400 billion, and increased sec. 21 limitation by $30 billion during period beginning March 17, 1971, and ending June 30, 1972
New Limit: $430.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
29) 86 Stat. 63
March 15, 1972
Notes: Amended sec. 21, to further increase the limitation temporarily by $20 billion during period beginning March 15, 1972, and ending June 30, 1972
New Limit: $450.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
30) 86 Stat. 406
July 1, 1972
Notes: Amended act of March 15, 1972, striking out June 30, 1972, and inserting in lieu thereof October 31, 1972
New Limit: $450.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
31) 86 Stat. 1324
October 27, 1972
Notes: Increased sec. 21 limitation during the period beginning November 1, 1972, and ending June 30, 1973
New Limit: $465.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
32) 87 Stat. 691
December 3, 1973
Notes: Increased sec. 21 limitation during the period beginning December 3, 1973, and ending June 30, 1974
New Limit: $475.7
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
33) 88 Stat. 285
June 30, 1974
Notes: Increased sec. 21 limitation during the period beginning June 30, 1974, and ending March 31, 1975
New Limit: $495.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
34) 89 Stat. 5
February 19, 1975
Notes: Increased sec. 21 limitation during the period beginning February 19, 1975, and ending June 30, 1975
New Limit: $577.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
35) 89 Stat. 246
June 30, 1975
Notes: Increased sec. 21 limitation during the period beginning June 30, 1975, and ending November 15, 1975
New Limit: $577.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
36) 89 Stat. 693
November 14, 1975
Notes: Increased sec. 21 limitation during the period beginning November 14, 1975, and ending March 15, 1976
New Limit: $595.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
37) 90 Stat. 217
March 15, 1976
Notes: Increased sec. 21 limitation during the period beginning March 15, 1976, and ending June 30, 1976
New Limit: $627.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
38) 90 Stat. 793
June 30, 1976
Notes: Increased sec. 21 limitation during the periods:
New Limit: $ Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
39) 91 Stat. 1090
October 4, 1977
Notes: Increased sec. 21 limitation by $352 billion during the period beginning October 4, 1977, and ending March 31, 1978
New Limit: $752.0
Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
40) 92 Stat. 185
March 27, 1978
Notes: Amended act of October 4, 1977, striking out March 31, 1978, and inserting in lieu thereof July 31, 1978
New Limit: $752.0
Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
41) 92 Stat. 419
August 3, 1978
Notes: Increased sec. 21 limitation by $398 billion during the period beginning August 3, 1978, and ending March 31, 1979
New Limit: $798.0
Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
42) 93 Stat. 8
April 2, 1979
Notes: Increased sec. 21 limitation by $430 billion during the period beginning April 2, 1979, and ending September 30, 1979
New Limit: $830.0
Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
43) 93 Stat. 589
September 29, 1979
Notes: Increased sec. 21 limitation by $479 billion during the period beginning September 29, 1979, and ending May 31, 1980
New Limit: $879.0
Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
44) 94 Stat. 421
May 30, 1980
Notes: Amended act of September 29, 1979, striking out May 31, 1980, and inserting in lieu thereof June 5, 1980
New Limit: $879.0
Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
45) 94 Stat. 439
June 6, 1980
Notes: Amended act of September 29, 1979, striking out June 5, 1980, and inserting in lieu thereof June 30, 1980
New Limit: $879.0
Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
46) 94 Stat. 598
June 28, 1980
Notes: Increased sec. 21 limitation by $525 billion during the period beginning June 28, 1980, and ending February 28, 1981
New Limit: $925.0
Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
47) 94 Stat. 3261
December 19, 1980
Notes: Increased the total debt limit (composed of $400.0 billion of permanent ceiling, $535.1 billion of temporary ceiling) to
New Limit: $935.1
Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
48) 95 Stat. 4
February 7, 1981
Notes: Increased the temporary portion of the debt limit to $585.0 billion through September 30, 1980, raising the total debt ceiling to
New Limit: $985.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: R
House Majority: D
--
49) 95 Stat. 955
September 30, 1981
Notes: Increased the temporary portion of the debt limit to $599.8 billion for one day -- September 30, 1981
New Limit: $999.8
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: R
House Majority: D
--
50) 95 Stat. 956
September 30, 1981
Notes: Increased the temporary portion of the debt limit to $679.8 billion through September 30, 1982
New Limit: $1,079.8
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: R
House Majority: D
--
51) 96 Stat. 130
June 28, 1982
Notes: Increased the temporary portion of the debt limit to $743.1 billion through September 30, 1982
New Limit: $1,143.1
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: R
House Majority: D
--
52) 96 Stat. 1156
September 30, 1982
Notes: Increased the temporary portion of the debt limit to $890.2 billion through September 30, 1983
New Limit: $1,290.2
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: R
House Majority: D
--
53) 97 Stat. 196
May 26, 1983
Notes: Eliminated the distinction between permanent and temporary limit with the enactment of a single permanent limit. Raised the debt limit to
New Limit: $1,389.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: R
House Majority: D
--
54) 97 Stat. 1012
November 21, 1983
Notes: Increased the debt limit to
New Limit: $1,490.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: R
House Majority: D
--
55) 98 Stat. 217
May 25, 1984
Notes: Increased the debt limit to
New Limit: $1,520.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: R
House Majority: D
--
56) 98 Stat. 313
July 6, 1984
Notes: Increased the debt limit to
New Limit: $1,573.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: R
House Majority: D
--
57) 98 Stat. 2206
October 13, 1984
Notes: Increased the debt limit to
New Limit: $1,823.8
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: R
House Majority: D
--
58) 99 Stat. 814
November 14, 1985
Notes: Increased the debt limit temporarily through December 6, 1985, to
New Limit: $1,903.8
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: R
House Majority: D
--
59) 99 Stat. 1037
December 12, 1985
Notes: Increased the debt limit to
New Limit: $2,078.7
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: R
House Majority: D
--
60) 100 Stat. 818
August 21, 1986
Notes: Increased the debt limit to
New Limit: $2,111.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: R
House Majority: D
--
61) 100 Stat. 1968
October 21, 1986
Notes: Increased the debt limit temporarily through May 15, 1987, to
New Limit: $2,300.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: R
House Majority: D
--
62) 101 Stat. 308
May 15, 1987
Notes: Increased the debt limit temporarily through July 17, 1987, to
New Limit: $2,320.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
63) 101 Stat. 542
July 30, 1987
Notes: Increased the debt limit temporarily through August 6, 1987, to
New Limit: $2,320.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
64) 101 Stat. 550
August 10, 1987
Notes: Increased the debt limit temporarily through September 23, 1987, to
New Limit: $2,352.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
65) 101 Stat. 754
September 29, 1987
Notes: Increased the debt limit to
New Limit: $2,800.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
66) 103 Stat. 182
August 7, 1989
Notes: Increased the debt limit temporarily through October 31, 1989, to
New Limit: $2,870.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
67) 103 Stat. 830
November 8, 1989
Notes: Increased the debt limit to
New Limit: $3,122.7
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
68) 104 Stat. 403
August 9, 1990
Notes: Increased the debt limit temporarily through October 2, 1990, to
New Limit: $3,195.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
69) 104 Stat. 878
October 2, 1990
Notes: Increased the debt limit temporarily through October 6, 1990, to
New Limit: $3,195.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
70) 104 Stat. 897
October 9, 1990
Notes: Increased the debt limit temporarily through October 19, 1990, to
New Limit: $3,195.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
71) 104 Stat. 1033
October 19, 1990
Notes: Increased the debt limit temporarily through October 24, 1990, to
New Limit: $3,195.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
72) 104 Stat. 1078
October 25, 1990
Notes: Increased the debt limit temporarily through October 27, 1990, to
New Limit: $3,195.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
73) 104 Stat. 1087
October 28, 1990
Notes: Increased the debt limit temporarily through November 5, 1990, to
New Limit: $3,230.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
74) 104 Stat. 1388-560
November 5, 1990
Notes: Increased the debt limit to
New Limit: $4,145.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
75) 107 Stat. 42
April 6, 1993
Notes: Increased the debt limit temporarily through September 30, 1993, to
New Limit: $4,370.0
Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
76) 107 Stat. 565
August 10, 1993
Notes: Increased the debt limit to
New Limit: $4,900.0
Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
77) 110 Stat. 55
February 8, 1996
Notes: Temporarily exempted from limit obligations in an amount equal to the monthly insurance benefits payable under Title II of the Social Security Act in March 1996, the exemption to expire on the earlier of an increase in the limit or March 15, 1996.
New Limit: $ Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: R
House Majority: R
--
78) 110 Stat. 825
March 12, 1996
Notes: Temporarily exempted from limit (a) obligations in an amount equal to the monthly insurance benefits payable under Title II of the Social Security Act in March 1996 and (b) certain obligations issued to trust funds and other Federal Government accounts, both exemptions to expire on the earlier of an increase in the limit or March 30, 1996.
New Limit: $ Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: R
House Majority: R
--
79) 110 Stat. 875
March 29, 1996
Notes: Increased the debt limit to
New Limit: $5,500.0
Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: R
House Majority: R
--
80) 111 Stat. 648
August 5, 1997
Notes: Increased the debt limit to
New Limit: $5,950.0
Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: R
House Majority: R
--
81) 116 Stat. 734
June 28, 2002
Notes: Increased the debt limit to
New Limit: $6,400.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: R
--
82) 117 Stat. 710
May 27, 2003
Notes: Increased the debt limit to
New Limit: $7,384.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: R
House Majority: R
--
83) 118 Stat. 2337
November 19, 2004
Notes: Increased the debt limit to
New Limit: $8,184.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: R
House Majority: R
--
84) 120 Stat. 289
March 20, 2006
Notes: Increased the debt limit to
New Limit: $8,965.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: R
House Majority: R
--
85) 121 Stat. 988
September 29, 2007
Notes: Increased the debt limit to
New Limit: $9,815.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
86) 122 Stat. 2908
July 30, 2008
Notes: Increased the debt limit to
New Limit: $10,615.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
87) 122 Stat. 3790
October 3, 2008
Notes: Increased the debt limit to
New Limit: $11,315.0
Billion
President: R
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
88) 123 Stat. 366
February 17, 2009
Notes: Increased the debt limit to
New Limit: $12,104.0
Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
89) 123 Stat.3483
December 28, 2009
Notes: Increased the debt limit to
New Limit: $12,394.0
Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
90) 124 Stat.8
February 12, 2010
Notes: Increased the debt limit to
New Limit: $14,294.0 Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: D
--
91) 124 Stat.251
August 2, 2011
Notes: Increased the debt limit to 14,694.0
Effective after September 21, 2011, increased the debt limit to 15,194.0
Effective after January 27, 2012, increased the debt limit to 16,394.0
New Limit: $16,394.0 Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: R
--
92) 127 Stat. 51
February 4, 2013
Notes: Suspended the existing debt limit from February 4, 2013 through May 18, 2013 and prospectively increased the limit to accommodate the increase in such debt outstanding as of May 19, 2013.
New Limit: $- Billion
President: D
Senate Majority: D
House Majority: R
--
Source: WhiteHouse.gov - Historical Tables
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