Al Mayadeen English

  • Ar
  • Es
  • x
Al Mayadeen English

Slogan

  • News
    • Politics
    • Economy
    • Sports
    • Arts&Culture
    • Health
    • Miscellaneous
    • Technology
    • Environment
  • Articles
    • Opinion
    • Analysis
    • Blog
    • Features
  • Videos
    • NewsFeed
    • Video Features
    • Explainers
    • TV
    • Digital Series
  • Infographs
  • In Pictures
  • • LIVE
News
  • Politics
  • Economy
  • Sports
  • Arts&Culture
  • Health
  • Miscellaneous
  • Technology
  • Environment
Articles
  • Opinion
  • Analysis
  • Blog
  • Features
Videos
  • NewsFeed
  • Video Features
  • Explainers
  • TV
  • Digital Series
Infographs
In Pictures
  • Africa
  • Asia
  • Asia-Pacific
  • Europe
  • Latin America
  • MENA
  • Palestine
  • US & Canada
BREAKING
Israeli media outlet reports one injury in a shooting targeting a bus at the Tunnels checkpoint in al-Quds
Sayyed Khamenei: In the 12-day war, the Iranian people defeated the Americans and the Zionists without a doubt
Sayyed Khamenei: We must enhance mobilization and pass on its concept to future generations, and I have always advised all government agencies to operate in a mobilization-oriented manner
Sayyed Khamenei: The scientists who were martyred in the 12-day aggression were not involved in the mobilization, but they embodied the true image of being part of the mobilization move
Sayyed Khamenei: The IRGC may be the official side concerned with mobilization, but any zealous group that wants to work for the sake of this country is part of this mobilization
Sayyed Khamenei: The phenomenon of resistance will continue and grow, and the oppressed people of the world will feel that someone supports them and that there is a power that amplifies their voice
Addressing the Iranian nation, Iranian leader Sayyed Ali Khamenei: A country like Iran needs mobilization more than any other country in light of foreign ambitions and interventions [affecting it]
Larijani to Pakistan's HUM TV: We are not seeking to acquire nuclear weapons, but we will continue to seriously develop our peaceful nuclear program
Larijani: Whoever wants to genuinely engage in negotiations does not predetermine the outcome; that is not negotiating
Secretary of Iran's Supreme National Security Council, Ali Larijani: Iran has not and will not abandon genuine negotiations

US debt default puts social security, healthcare, veterans at risk

  • By Al Mayadeen English
  • Source: Agencies
  • 24 May 2023 20:50
  • 2 Shares
4 Min Read

The political war between Republicans and Democrats continues as federal institutions scramble to plan for scheduled payments.

  • x
  • US default storm inches away, what are the scenarios?
    Storm clouds pass over the US Capitol dome in Washington, US, June 17, 2019 (Reuters)

The United States is rapidly closing in on total financial chaos, as the two ruling parties have failed so far to reach a borrowing ceiling consensus although the debt default is estimated to hit the government in early June, as per earlier statements by US Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen.

The debate over raising the debt ceiling has become an annual occurrence, however, this year Congress is in a race against time while Republicans and Democrats are yet to agree on the terms.

In short, the United State's expenses exceed its revenues, which prompts an increase in the borrowing limit currently sitting at $31.4 trillion.

Read more: Asian markets sink as US debt ceiling talks stall

US markets are accumulating losses every day as the debt default date, also known as X-date, closes in. But the default impact would not be limited to the United States, rather, it would have a tremendous impact on the global markets. 

Moreover, in case this scenario happens, investors would lose trust in the US financial system, and thus won't be as motivated to invest in products and instruments backed by the US dollar.

Spending on federal programs, such as social securities, medical assistance, and benefits programs for serving and retired army personnel, among other payments, that accounted for 45 percent of last year's 6.27 trillion budget, would be forced to a halt - affecting tens of millions of Americans.

"We would simply not have enough cash to meet all of our obligations," Yellen said earlier this month.

On Monday, US House Speaker and President Joe Biden said their first one-on-one talks in months to avoid a calamitous debt default were "productive", but disagreements were still blocking any possible deal.

The White House meeting came after Biden cut off a  short trip to Asia to recommence talks in advance of the US Treasury's deadline for Congress to authorize more borrowing.

Read more: Yellen warns brinkmanship over debt limit risks serious economic costs

Get ready

The US Treasury informed federal bodies to secure a feasible plan for differing scheduled payments to prepare for a budget payment pause, reports said earlier.

Medicare providers are scheduled to receive $47 billion on June 1 from the Treasury, $25 billion dollars for social security programs are planned for June 2, and other payments are supposed to be made in the following days of the month,

Also on June 1, Congress said almost $25 billion in payments must be made to military personnel and civil servants, including other groups.

Selling and delaying

While missing pay dates will affect the US government, delaying some expenses for a few days is still manageable, but which bills to pay or sideline would be the main challenge for the federal government.

Selling government assets to make the due payments is also a plausible, yet less probable, scenario.

US Treasury data show that the Social Security Administration carries over $2.8 trillion in assets as of the end of April - making it the largest US bond holder in the world.

But this scheme would put US President Joe Biden in a political storm, especially from the Republican party, which would accuse him of failing to manage the spending issue.

While the last emergency option would be that US President Joe Biden would use his executive powers granted by the 14th Amendment to bypass Congress on the matter, the White House said earlier this week that Washington is not planning on doing so.

  • United States
  • Congress
  • US debt
  • US Treasury Department
  • Washington
  • US
  • US debt default
  • Janet Yellen
  • Joe Biden
  • white house

Most Read

Hezbollah announces the martyrdom of Haitham al-Tabatabai

Hezbollah announces the martyrdom of commander Haitham Tabatabai

  • West Asia
  • 23 Nov 2025
Hezbollah publishes biography of martyred leader Haitham al-Tabatabai

Hezbollah publishes biography of martyred leader Haitham Tabatabai

  • Politics
  • 23 Nov 2025
Hezbollah releases the names of the four martyred with Tabatabai

Hezbollah releases the names of the 4 martyred alongside Tabatabai

  • West Asia
  • 24 Nov 2025
A boy tries to stand near missiles displayed in the National Aerospace Park of the Revolutionary Guard, just outside Tehran, Iran, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2025 (AP)

Key Israeli sites destroyed, nuclear docs moved to Tehran: Minister

  • Politics
  • 22 Nov 2025

Coverage

All
In Five

Read Next

All
AI weaponized: 'Israel' scrubs soldiers’ posts to hide atrocities
Technology

AI weaponized: 'Israel' scrubs soldiers’ posts to hide atrocities

z
Politics

Petro: Oil is key to US pressure on Venezuela, not drug trade

The Lafarge cement plant facility is seen Tuesday, October 18, 2022, in Ravena, N.Y. (AP Photo/Hans Pennink)
Politics

Lafarge trial focuses on talks with Syrian armed groups, ISIS links

Denmark sets up Trump ‘night watch’ after Greenland tensions flare
Politics

Denmark sets up Trump ‘night watch’ after Greenland tensions flare

Al Mayadeen English

Al Mayadeen is an Arab Independent Media Satellite Channel.

All Rights Reserved

  • x
  • Privacy Policy
  • About Us
  • Contact Us
  • Authors
Android
iOS