As House Looks For Leader, Debt Ceiling Debate Looms

05:56

October 22, 2015

A cyclist rides across the front plaza of the U.S. Capitol on Nov. 4, 2014 in Washington. (J. David Ake/AP)

Financial markets have been looking fairly calm lately. Interest rates remain low and the economy has been growing steadily. But in coming days, all of that calm could be shattered by a debt ceiling crisis.

The treasury is running out of cash to pay bills that the country already owes. Only Congress can solve the problem by raising the limit on debt – but U.S. House leadership is still in turmoil as the deadline draws closer.

NPR's Marilyn Geewax discusses this with Here & Now's Robin Young

Guest

Marilyn Geewax, senior business editor for NPR. She tweets @geewaxnpr.

This segment aired on October 22, 2015.

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