But failure by Congress to raise the debt ceiling would get a much stronger reaction than we're seeing this morning.

Whenever debates over the budget rage in Washington, leaders can't help but say the government should balance their budget as well as a household. But that analogy might not always hold water.

If Congress fails to raise the debt limit, the next question is how to pay the bills.

The U.S. cannot pinpoint just when it will hit its debt limit, and while a giant unexpected expense could cause a problem, it's revenues that make the deadline tough to figure out.

The 2013 government shutdown looms on Tuesday. But if the government closes its doors, shouldn't it cost taxpayers less?

How will the markets react to another government shutdown deadline?

Brace yourself. The debt ceiling showdown is coming back.

The Treasury Department says the U.S. will run out of money on some unknown date in October.

When asked about how the economy directly impacts their lives, most Americans give the obvious answers — and a couple of surprises too.