Will the US Reach its Statutory Federal Debt Ceiling in the First Half of 2027?

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National Taxpayers Union"Based on projected borrowing needs, the federal government is likely to reach the $41.1 trillion debt limit by May 2027."Jan 15, 2020

National Taxpayers Union

Congressional Budget Office"Under the assumptions governing CBO’s baseline projections, the Treasury would reach the limit sometime in 2027, but for the purpose of those projections, CBO’s baseline incorporates the assumption that the statutory ceiling will be increased as necessary."May 20, 2026

Congressional Budget Office

Shai Akabas'Washington is on track to next hit the debt limit between late winter and midsummer 2027."Aug 20, 2026

Shai Akabas

Scope Ratings"Scope expects the current debt ceiling... to be reached by early 2027."Oct 15, 2026

Scoperatings

Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget"The debt ceiling will likely need to be raised once again sometime in mid-to-late 2027."Mar 28, 2025

Crfb

Bloomberg Law"The Treasury Department will likely need to take steps to avoid a default on the national debt as soon as early next year [2027], according to an initial forecast ahead of a potential partisan standoff on raising the debt ceiling."Jun 04, 2026

Bloomberglaw

Time MagazineThe Treasury Department is expected to hit that limit some time in 2027, although estimates vary.Sep 24, 2026

Time

Fitch Ratings"We expect the USD41.1 trillion debt ceiling will be reached in mid-2027."Oct 15, 2026

Fitchratings

CNBC"Most financial institutions believe the U.S. will reach its debt ceiling of $41.1 trillion in midyear 2027, requiring Congress to raise or suspend the debt limit so Treasury can continue borrowing to meet obligations."Aug 25, 2026

CNBC

Matthew Dickerson"The federal government is likely to reach the statutory debt limit by May 2027, although the contact date could come in March 2027."Aug 24, 2026

Baselinepolicy

J.P. Morgan"The U.S. is projected to reach its $41.1 trillion debt limit before the end of 2027."Oct 15, 2026

Jpmorgan

Bipartisan Policy Center"BPC now estimates that, absent congressional action, the U.S. will most likely reach the debt limit once again sometime between late winter and mid-summer of 2027."Oct 14, 2026