2011 US Code
Title 31 - Money and Finance
Subtitle III - FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT (§§ 3101 - 3907)
Chapter 31 - PUBLIC DEBT (§§ 3101 - 3130)
Subchapter I - BORROWING AUTHORITY (§§ 3101 - 3113)
Section 3101 - Public debt limit

(a) In this section, the current redemption value of an obligation issued on a discount basis and redeemable before maturity at the option of its holder is deemed to be the face amount of the obligation.

(b) The face amount of obligations issued under this chapter and the face amount of obligations whose principal and interest are guaranteed by the United States Government (except guaranteed obligations held by the Secretary of the Treasury) may not be more than $14,294,000,000,000, outstanding at one time, subject to changes periodically made in that amount as provided by law through the congressional budget process described in Rule XLIX ¹ of the Rules of the House of Representatives or as provided by section 3101A or otherwise.

(c) For purposes of this section, the face amount, for any month, of any obligation issued on a discount basis that is not redeemable before maturity at the option of the holder of the obligation is an amount equal to the sum of—

(1) the original issue price of the obligation, plus

(2) the portion of the discount on the obligation attributable to periods before the beginning of such month (as determined under the principles of section 1272(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986 without regard to any exceptions contained in paragraph (2) of such section).

(Pub. L. 97–258, Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 938; Pub. L. 98–34, §1(a), May 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 196; Pub. L. 98–161, Nov. 21, 1983, 97 Stat. 1012; Pub. L. 98–342, §1(a), July 6, 1984, 98 Stat. 313; Pub. L. 98–475, Oct. 13, 1984, 98 Stat. 2206; Pub. L. 99–177, §1, Dec. 12, 1985, 99 Stat. 1037; Pub. L. 99–384, Aug. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 818; Pub. L. 100–119, §1, Sept. 29, 1987, 101 Stat. 754; Pub. L. 101–72, §2, Aug. 7, 1989, 103 Stat. 182; Pub. L. 101–140, §1, Nov. 8, 1989, 103 Stat. 830; Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, §11901[(a)], Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–560; Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, §13411(a), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 565; Pub. L. 104–121, title III, §301, Mar. 29, 1996, 110 Stat. 875; Pub. L. 105–33, title V, §5701, Aug. 5, 1997, 111 Stat. 648; Pub. L. 107–199, §1, June 28, 2002, 116 Stat. 734; Pub. L. 108–24, May 27, 2003, 117 Stat. 710; Pub. L. 108–415, §1, Nov. 19, 2004, 118 Stat. 2337; Pub. L. 109–182, Mar. 20, 2006, 120 Stat. 289; Pub. L. 110–91, Sept. 29, 2007, 121 Stat. 988; Pub. L. 110–289, div. C, title III, §3083, July 30, 2008, 122 Stat. 2908; Pub. L. 110–343, div. A, title I, §122, Oct. 3, 2008, 122 Stat. 3790; Pub. L. 111–5, div. B, title I, §1604, Feb. 17, 2009, 123 Stat. 366; Pub. L. 111–123, §1, Dec. 28, 2009, 123 Stat. 3483; Pub. L. 111–139, Feb. 12, 2010, 124 Stat. 8; Pub. L. 112–25, title III, §301(a)(1), Aug. 2, 2011, 125 Stat. 251.)

In subsection (a), the words “is deemed to be” are substituted for “shall be considered . . . to be” because a legal fiction is intended.

The Rules of the House of Representatives for the One Hundred Sixth Congress were adopted and amended generally by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Sixth Congress, Jan. 6, 1999. Provisions formerly appearing in Rule XLIX, referred to in subsec. (b), were contained in Rule XXIII, which was subsequently repealed by House Resolution No. 5, One Hundred Seventh Congress, Jan. 3, 2001.

Section 1272(a) of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, referred to in subsec. (c), is classified to section 1272(a) of Title 26, Internal Revenue Code.

2011—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 112–25 substituted “or as provided by section 3101A or otherwise” for “or otherwise”.

2010—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 111–139 substituted “$14,294,000,000,000” for “$12,394,000,000,000”.

2009—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 111–123 substituted “$12,394,000,000,000” for “$12,104,000,000,000”.

Pub. L. 111–5 substituted “$12,104,000,000,000” for “$11,315,000,000,000”.

2008—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 110–343 substituted “$11,315,000,000,000” for “$10,615,000,000,000”.

Pub. L. 110–289 substituted “$10,615,000,000,000” for “$9,815,000,000,000”.

2007—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 110–91 substituted “$9,815,000,000,000” for “$8,965,000,000,000”.

2006—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 109–182 substituted “$8,965,000,000,000” for “$8,184,000,000,000”.

2004—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 108–415 substituted “$8,184,000,000,000” for “$7,384,000,000,000”.

2003—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 108–24 substituted “$7,384,000,000,000” for “$6,400,000,000,000”.

2002—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 107–199 substituted “$6,400,000,000,000” for “$5,950,000,000,000”.

1997—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 105–33 substituted “$5,950,000,000,000” for “$5,500,000,000,000”.

1996—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 104–121 substituted “$5,500,000,000,000” for “$4,900,000,000,000”.

1993—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 103–66 substituted “$4,900,000,000,000” for “$4,145,000,000,000”.

1990—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 101–508 substituted “$4,145,000,000,000” for “$3,122,700,000,000”.

1989—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 101–140 substituted “$3,122,700,000,000” for “$2,800,000,000,000”.

Subsec. (c). Pub. L. 101–72 amended subsec. (c) generally. Prior to amendment, subsec. (c) read as follows: “The face amount of beneficial interests and participations (except those held by their issuer) issued under section 302(c) of the National Housing Act (12 U.S.C. 1717(c)) from July 1, 1967, through June 30, 1968, and outstanding at any time shall be included in the amount taken into account in deciding whether the face amount requirement of subsection (b) of this section has been exceeded. This subsection does not require a change in the budgetary accounting for beneficial interests and participations.”

1987—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 100–119 substituted “$2,800,000,000,000” for “$2,111,000,000,000”.

1986—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 99–384, which directed that subsec. (b) be amended by “striking out the dollar limitation contained in such subsection and inserting in lieu thereof ‘$2,111,000,000,000,’ ”, was executed by substituting “$2,111,000,000,000,” for “$1,847,800,000,000, or $2,078,700,000,000 on and after October 1, 1985,” as the probable intent of Congress.

1985—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 99–177 substituted “$1,847,800,000,000, or $2,078,700,000,000 on and after October 1, 1985” for “$1,575,700,000,000, or $1,823,800,000,000 on and after October 1, 1984”.

1984—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 98–475 substituted “$1,575,700,000,000, or $1,823,800,000,000 on and after October 1, 1984,” for “$1,573,000,000,000”.

Pub. L. 98–342 substituted “$1,573,000,000,000” for “$1,389,000,000,000, or $1,490,000,000,000 on and after October 1, 1983,”.

1983—Subsec. (b). Pub. L. 98–161 inserted “, or $1,490,000,000,000 on and after October 1, 1983,” after “$1,389,000,000,000”.

Pub. L. 98–34 substituted “$1,389,000,000,000” for “$400,000,000,000”.

Pub. L. 104–115, §1(a)–(c), Mar. 12, 1996, 110 Stat. 825, authorized Secretary of the Treasury to issue to each Federal fund obligations of United States under this chapter before Mar. 30, 1996, in amount not to exceed certain designated limits, exempted such obligations from public debt limit and provided for termination of such exemption, and defined “Federal fund” for purpose of section.

Pub. L. 104–103, §1, Feb. 8, 1996, 110 Stat. 55, as amended by Pub. L. 104–115, §1(d), Mar. 12, 1996, 110 Stat. 825, authorized Secretary of the Treasury to issue, before Mar. 1, 1996, obligations of United States under this chapter in amount equal to monthly insurance benefits payable in March 1996 under title II of Social Security Act (42 U.S.C. 401 et seq.), exempted such obligations from public debt limit and provided for termination of such exemption.

Pub. L. 98–302, §1, May 25, 1984, 98 Stat. 217, which permanently increased the public debt limit by $30,000,000,000 effective May 25, 1984, was repealed by Pub. L. 98–342, §1(b), July 6, 1984, 98 Stat. 313, effective on and after July 6, 1984.

The public debt limit set forth in this section was temporarily increased for limited periods by the following acts:

Oct. 28, 1990, Pub. L. 101–467, §106, 104 Stat. 1087—Increase to $3,230,000,000,000 for the period Oct. 28, 1990, to Nov. 5, 1990.

Aug. 9, 1990, Pub. L. 101–350, §1, 104 Stat. 403, as amended Oct. 2, 1990, Pub. L. 101–405, §1, 104 Stat. 878; Oct. 9, 1990, Pub. L. 101–412, §114, 104 Stat. 897; Oct. 19, 1990, Pub. L. 101–444, §114, 104 Stat. 1033; Oct. 25, 1990, Pub. L. 101–461, §114, 104 Stat. 1078—Increase to $3,195,000,000,000 for the period Aug. 9, 1990, to Oct. 27, 1990.

Aug. 7, 1989, Pub. L. 101–72, §1, 103 Stat. 182—Increase of $70,000,000,000 for the period Aug. 7, 1989, to Oct. 31, 1989.

Aug. 10, 1987, Pub. L. 100–84, 101 Stat. 550—Increase to $2,352,000,000,000 for the period Aug. 10, 1987, to Sept. 23, 1987.

May 15, 1987, Pub. L. 100–40, §1(a), 101 Stat. 308, as amended July 30, 1987, Pub. L. 100–80, §1(a), 101 Stat. 542—Increase to $2,320,000,000,000 for the period May 15, 1987, to August 6, 1987. [Section 1(b) of Pub. L. 100–80 provided that: “The amendment made by subsection (a) [amending section 1(a) of Pub. L. 100–40] shall take effect on the date of the enactment of this Act [July 30, 1987].”]

Nov. 14, 1985, Pub. L. 99–155, §1, 99 Stat. 814—Provided for a temporary increase of an amount determined by the Secretary of the Treasury as necessary, but not to exceed a public debt limit of $1,903,800,000,000 for the period Nov. 14, 1985, to Dec. 6, 1985.

June 28, 1982, Pub. L. 97–204, 96 Stat. 130—Increase of $743,100,000,000 for the period June 28, 1982, to Sept. 30, 1982.

Sept. 30, 1981, Pub. L. 97–49, 95 Stat. 956—Increase of $679,800,000,000 for the period Oct. 1, 1981, to Sept. 30, 1982.

Pub. L. 103–12, Apr. 6, 1993, 107 Stat. 42, providing for a temporary increase in public debt limit to $4,370,000,000,000 for the period Apr. 6, 1993, to Sept. 30, 1993, was repealed by Pub. L. 103–66, title XIII, §13411(b), Aug. 10, 1993, 107 Stat. 565, effective Aug. 10, 1993.

Pub. L. 99–509, title VIII, §8201, Oct. 21, 1986, 100 Stat. 1968, providing for a temporary increase in public debt limit of $189,000,000,000 for the period Oct. 21, 1986, to May 15, 1987, was repealed by Pub. L. 100–40, §1(b), May 15, 1987, 101 Stat. 308, effective May 15, 1987.

Pub. L. 97–270, Sept. 30, 1982, 96 Stat. 1156, providing for a temporary increase in public debt limit of $890,200,000,000 for the period Oct. 1, 1982, to Sept. 30, 1983, was repealed by Pub. L. 98–34, §1(b), May 26, 1983, 97 Stat. 196, effective May 26, 1983.

The following acts which temporarily increased the public debt limit for limited periods were repealed by Pub. L. 97–258, §5(b), Sept. 13, 1982, 96 Stat. 1068:

Pub. L. 97–48, Sept. 30, 1981, 95 Stat. 955, provided for a temporary increase of $599,800,000,000 for the period Sept. 30, 1981, to Sept. 30, 1981.

Pub. L. 97–2, Feb. 7, 1981, 95 Stat. 4, provided for a temporary increase of $585,000,000,000 for the period Feb. 7, 1981, to Sept. 30, 1981.

Pub. L. 96–556, §1, Dec. 19, 1980, 94 Stat. 3261, provided for a temporary increase of $535,100,000,000 for the period Oct. 1, 1980, to Sept. 30, 1981.

Pub. L. 96–286, §1, June 28, 1980, 94 Stat. 598, provided for a temporary increase of $525,000,000,000 for the period June 28, 1980, to Feb. 28, 1981.

Pub. L. 96–78, title I, §101(a), Sept. 29, 1979, 93 Stat. 589, as amended Pub. L. 96–256, May 30, 1980, 94 Stat. 421; Pub. L. 96–264, §1, June 6, 1980, 94 Stat. 439, provided for a temporary increase of $479,000,000,000 for the period Sept. 29, 1979, to June 30, 1980.

Pub. L. 96–5, §1, Apr. 2, 1979, 93 Stat. 8, providing for a temporary increase of $430,000,000,000 for the period Apr. 2, 1979, to Sept. 30, 1979, was also repealed by Pub. L. 96–79, title I, §101(b), Sept. 29, 1979, 93 Stat. 589.

Pub. L. 95–333, §1, Aug. 3, 1978, 92 Stat. 419, providing for a temporary increase of $398,000,000,000 in the public debt limit for the period Oct. 3, 1978, to Mar. 31, 1979, was also repealed by Pub. L. 96–5, §2, Apr. 2, 1979, 93 Stat. 8.

Pub. L. 95–120, §1, Oct. 4, 1977, 91 Stat. 1090, as amended, providing for a temporary increase of $352,000,000,000 in the public debt limit for the period Oct. 4, 1977, to July 31, 1978, was also repealed by Pub. L. 95–333, §2, Aug. 3, 1978, 92 Stat. 419.

Pub. L. 94–334, §1, June 30, 1976, 90 Stat. 793, providing for a temporary increase of $300,000,000,000 in the public debt limit for the period Apr. 1, 1977, to Sept. 30, 1977, was also repealed by Pub. L. 95–120, §2, Oct. 4, 1977, 91 Stat. 1090.

Pub. L. 94–232, §1, Mar. 15, 1976, 90 Stat. 217, provided for a temporary increase of $227,000,000,000 for the period Mar. 15, 1976, to June 30, 1976.

Pub. L. 94–132, §1, Nov. 14, 1975, 89 Stat. 693, providing for a temporary increase of $195,000,000,000 in the public debt limit for the period Nov. 14, 1975, to Mar. 15, 1976, was also repealed by Pub. L. 94–232, §2, Mar. 15, 1976, 90 Stat. 217.

Pub. L. 94–47, §1, June 30, 1975, 89 Stat. 246, providing for a temporary increase of $177,000,000,000 in the public debt limit for the period June 30, 1975, to Nov. 15, 1975, was also repealed by Pub. L. 94–132, §2, Nov. 14, 1975, 89 Stat. 693.

Pub. L. 94–3, §1, Feb. 19, 1975, 89 Stat. 5, providing for a temporary increase of $131,000,000,000 in the public debt limit for the period Feb. 19, 1975, to June 30, 1975, was also repealed by Pub. L. 94–47, §2, June 30, 1975, 89 Stat. 246.

Pub. L. 93–325, §1, June 30, 1974, 88 Stat. 285, providing for a temporary increase of $95,000,000,000 in the public debt limit for the period June 30, 1974, to Mar. 31, 1975, was also repealed by Pub. L. 94–3, §2, Feb. 19, 1975, 89 Stat. 5.

Pub. L. 93–173, §1, Dec. 3, 1973, 87 Stat. 691, providing for a temporary increase of $75,700,000,000 in the public debt limit for the period of Dec. 3, 1973, to June 30, 1974, was also repealed by Pub. L. 93–325, §2, June 30, 1974, 88 Stat. 285, eff. June 30, 1974.

Pub. L. 92–599, title I, §101, Oct. 27, 1972, 86 Stat. 1324, as amended Pub. L. 93–53, §1, July 1, 1973, 87 Stat. 134, providing for a temporary increase of $65,000,000,000 in the public debt limit for the period of Nov. 1, 1972, to Nov. 30, 1973, was also repealed by Pub. L. 93–173, §2, Dec. 3, 1973, 87 Stat. 691, eff. Dec. 3, 1973.

Pub. L. 92–250, Mar. 15, 1972, 86 Stat. 63, as amended Pub. L. 92–336, title I, §1, July 1, 1972, 86 Stat. 406, provided for a temporary increase of $20,000,000,000 for the period Mar. 15, 1972, to Oct. 31, 1972.

Pub. L. 92–5, title I, §2(a), Mar. 17, 1971, 85 Stat. 5, as amended July 1, 1972, Pub. L. 92–336, title I, §1, 86 Stat. 406, provided for a temporary increase of $30,000,000,000 for the period of Mar. 17, 1971, to Oct. 31, 1972.

Pub. L. 91–301, §2, June 30, 1970, 84 Stat. 368, providing for a temporary increase of $15,000,000,000 in the public debt limit for the period of June 30, 1970, to June 30, 1971, was also repealed by Pub. L. 92–5, title I, §2(b), Mar. 17, 1971, 85 Stat. 5, eff. Mar. 17, 1971.

Pub. L. 91–8, §2, Apr. 7, 1969, 83 Stat. 7, provided for a temporary increase of $12,000,000,000 for the period Apr. 7, 1969, to June 30, 1970.

Pub. L. 90–3, Mar. 2, 1967, 81 Stat. 4, provided for a temporary increase from $285,000,000,000 to $336,000,000,000 for the period Mar. 2, 1967.

Pub. L. 89–472, June 24, 1966, 80 Stat. 221, provided for a temporary increase from $285,000,000,000 to $330,000,000,000 for the period July 1, 1966, to June 30, 1967.

Pub. L. 89–49, June 24, 1965, 79 Stat. 172, provided for a temporary increase from $285,000,000,000 to $328,000,000,000 for the period July 1, 1965, to June 30, 1966.

Pub. L. 88–327, June 29, 1964, 78 Stat. 255, provided for a temporary increase from $285,000,000,000 to $324,000,000,000 for the period June 29, 1964, to June 30, 1965.

Pub. L. 88–187, Nov. 26, 1963, 77 Stat. 342, provided for a temporary increase from $285,000,000,000 to $309,000,000,000 for the period Dec. 1, 1963, to June 30, 1964 and a further increase of $6,000,000,000 for the period Dec. 1, 1963 through June 29, 1964 because of variations in the timing of revenue receipts.

Pub. L. 88–106, Aug. 27, 1963, 77 Stat. 131, provided for a temporary increase from $285,000,000,000 to $309,000,000,000 for the period Sept. 1, 1963, to Nov. 30, 1963.

Pub. L. 88–30, §1(2), May 29, 1963, 77 Stat. 50, provided for a temporary increase from $285,000,000,000 to $309,000,000,000 for the period July 1, 1963, to Aug. 31, 1963.

Pub. L. 88–30, §1(1), May 29, 1963, 77 Stat. 50, provided for a temporary increase from $285,000,000,000 to $307,000,000,000 for the period May 29, 1963, to June 30, 1963.

Pub. L. 87–512, §1(3), July 1, 1962, 76 Stat. 124, provided for a temporary increase from $285,000,000,000 to $300,000,000,000 for the period June 25, 1963, to June 30, 1963.

Pub. L. 87–512, §1(2), July 1, 1962, 76 Stat. 124, provided for a temporary increase from $285,000,000,000 to $305,000,000,000 for the period Apr. 1, 1963, to June 24, 1963.

Pub. L. 87–512, §1(1), July 1, 1962, 76 Stat. 124, provided for a temporary increase from $285,000,000,000 to $308,000,000,000 for the period July 1, 1962, to Mar. 31, 1963.

Pub. L. 87–414, Mar. 13, 1962, 76 Stat. 23, provided for a temporary increase from $285,000,000,000 to $300,000,000,000 for the period Mar. 13, 1962, to June 30, 1962.

Pub. L. 87–69, June 30, 1961, 75 Stat. 148, provided for a temporary increase from $285,000,000,000 to $298,000,000,000 for the period July 1, 1961, to June 30, 1962.

Pub. L. 86–564, title I, §101, June 30, 1960, 74 Stat. 290, provided for a temporary increase from $285,000,000,000 to $293,000,000,000 for the period July 1, 1960, to June 30, 1961.

Pub. L. 86–74, §2, June 30, 1959, 73 Stat. 156, provided for a temporary increase from $285,000,000,000 to $295,000,000,000 for the period July 1, 1959, to June 30, 1960.

Pub. L. 85–336, Feb. 26, 1958, 72 Stat. 27, provided for a temporary increase from $275,000,000,000 to $280,000,000,000 for the period Feb. 26, 1958, to June 30, 1959.

July 9, 1956, ch. 536, 70 Stat. 519, provided for a temporary increase from $275,000,000,000 to $278,000,000,000 for the period July 1, 1956, to June 30, 1957.

Aug. 28, 1954, ch. 1037, 68 Stat. 895, as amended by act June 30, 1955, ch. 256, 69 Stat. 241, provided for a temporary increase from $275,000,000,000 to $281,000,000,000 for the period Aug. 28, 1954, to June 30, 1956.

Provisions requiring the Secretary of the Treasury to restore certain Federal trust funds and Government accounts to the position they would have been if the debt limitation of 31 U.S.C. 3101(b) had not prevented them from investing funds during specific periods were contained in the following acts:

Pub. L. 101–508, title XI, §11901(b), Nov. 5, 1990, 104 Stat. 1388–560.

Pub. L. 101–140, title III, §301, Nov. 8, 1989, 103 Stat. 833.

Pub. L. 99–177, title II, §272, Dec. 12, 1985, 99 Stat. 1095.

¹ See References in Text note below.