US braces for $41T debt ceiling as lawmakers race to avert default

Forecasters project the US will hit a $41.1 trillion debt limit next year (likely between late winter and mid-summer); the Treasury’s extraordinary measures could buy about 6–9 more months of spending grace, but Congress will need fresh borrowing authority to avoid a default with potentially global economic consequences, as lawmakers also weigh partisan policy battles such as REAL ID voting requirements and immigration enforcement funding amid a flurry of floor votes and nominations.