Public Debt in the United States

Public Debt Definition

That which is due or owing by the government. There are more definitions of Public Debt in the legal Dictionaries.

National Debt

The U.S. National Debt Clock gives the total amount of the U.S. National deficit, plus the proportionate amount owed per citizen. The Public Debt to the Penny and Who Holds It, by the U.S. Bureau of the Public Debt, gives both current and historical debt figures.

For countries other than the U.S., see “Country Information” and the Foreign & International section of “Economic Data and Statistics.”

Public Debt in the Legislative Process

All moneys borrowed by the federal government but not yet repaid. Deficit spending by the government requires borrowing that necessarily leads to increases in the public debt (also known as the national debt).

Public Debt in Foreign Legal Encyclopedias

For starting research in the law of a foreign country:

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More Public Debt Topics

Introduction to Bonds (Public Debt)

Public Debt

In Legislation

Public Debt in the U.S. Code: Title 31, Subtitle III, Chapter 31

The current, permanent, in-force federal laws regulating public debt are compiled in the United States Code under Title 31, Subtitle III, Chapter 31. It constitutes “prima facie” evidence of statutes relating to Finance (including public debt) of the United States. The reader can further narrow his/her legal research of the general topic (in this case, Financial Management, Public Debt and Public Finance of the US Code, including public debt) by chapter and subchapter.

Resources

Resources

See Also

• Executive Branch
• Budgets
• Country Information
• Economic Data and Statistics
• Office of Management and Budget

Further Reading

• Information about Public Debt in the Gale Encyclopedia of American Law.