Economy
Wednesday, 8/19, 09:41 PM
The U.S. national debt passes $40 trillion for the first time
- The federal government's total debt reached $40.05 trillion this week, the Treasury Department reported, just five months after crossing $39 trillion.
- The pace of borrowing is what makes the milestone matter: a decade ago the figure was $19.4 trillion, and the next fight over the $41.1 trillion debt limit is already coming into view.