The US is heading toward a catastrophic — and avoidable — default. Here's what the debt ceiling is, and why it's so dangerous.

Tech Insider : Economy, Politics
Kevin McCarthy
House Speaker Kevin McCarthy speaks to reporters outside of his office in the US Capitol Building on March 7, 2023 in Washington, DC.

Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images

The White House warned that a debt ceiling crisis could be just as bad as the Great Recession — and there'd be no way for the government to help anyone out

Tech Insider : Economy, Politics
President Joe Biden.
President Joe Biden.

Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Bernie Sanders just introduced a bill that would raise the minimum wage to $17 an hour

Tech Insider : Economy, Politics
Bernie Sanders
Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders.

AP Photo/Susan Walsh

The Federal Reserve just hiked interest rates for the 10th time in a row. It could be the last.

Tech Insider : Economy, Politics
Jerome Powell at the July 2022 FOMC press conference.
U.S. Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell.

Liu Jie/Xinhua/Getty Images

A student-loan company at the center of a lawsuit blocking Biden's debt cancellation with a 'dubious record of customer service' just got a new contract to keep servicing millions of borrowers, Cori Bush says

Tech Insider : Economy, Politics
Rep. Cori Bush
FEBRUARY 28: Representative Cori Bush speaks as student loan borrowers and advocates gather for the People's Rally To Cancel Student Debt During The Supreme Court Hearings On Student Debt Relief on February 28, 2023 in Washington, DC.

Jemal Countess/Getty Images for People's Rally to Cancel Student Debt

A $1 trillion platinum coin could save the US from economic catastrophe in less than a month. It would be fast, legal, and no bigger than a regular coin.

Tech Insider : Economy, Politics
U.S. Secretary of the Treasury Janet Yellen (L) and Second Gentleman Douglas Emhoff inspect a series of dies used in the production of the new American Women Quarters Program which includes the Maya Angelou quarter dollar coin, during a tour of the Denver Mint on March 11, 2022 in Denver, Colorado.
U.S.

Americans could be on track for a stream of job losses, big cuts to retirement savings, and a surge in student-loan payments in less than a month. It's completely preventable.

Tech Insider : Economy, Politics
Kevin McCarthy
House Minority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA).

Kent Nishimura/Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Millions of student-loan borrowers could find out in the next 2 months if they will get Biden's debt relief. Here's what's at stake — beyond a reduction to balances.

Tech Insider : Economy, Politics
Student debt activists at Supreme Court
An activist stands next to a sign as they protest in front of the Supreme Court during a rally for student debt cancellation in Washington, DC, on February 28, 2023.

ANDREW CABALLERO-REYNOLDS/AFP via Getty Images

Meet a 64-year-old therapist who's been making student-loan payments for decades while working in public service — but still hasn't gotten loan forgiveness

Tech Insider : Economy, Politics
College graduation photo

Getty Images

Senator Patty Murray says it's impossible to keep the economy growing without affordable, well-paid childcare

Tech Insider : Economy, Politics
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) speaks at an event to reintroduce the Child Care for Working Families Act, at the U.S. Capitol on April 27, 2023 in Washington, DC. The legislation would provides funds for child care and early learning programs for low to moderate income families.
U.S. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) speaks at an event to reintroduce the Child Care for Working Families Act, at the U.S. Capitol on April 27, 2023 in Washington, DC.
Subscribe to Policy