CLEAN : 'It's like playing with fire,' explains economist as US debt crisis looms

The video discusses the implications of the U.S. debt ceiling, highlighting the potential for a recession if the ceiling is not raised or suspended. It reviews past instances of debt ceiling suspensions and their market impacts, such as the 2011 S&P downgrade. Current measures to manage the debt ceiling are explored, along with potential future budget resolutions. The economic impact of passing infrastructure and reconciliation bills is analyzed, emphasizing their importance for GDP growth.

What could be a direct consequence of not raising or suspending the debt ceiling?

• Strengthening of the US dollar

• Improvement in GDP

• Automatic recession in the US

• Increase in government spending

What was a significant outcome of the 2011 debt ceiling crisis?

• Increase in US credit rating

• Decrease in stock market volatility

• Downgrade of US sovereign debt rating

• Immediate economic growth

What financial measure is the treasury currently using to avoid cash depletion?

• Reducing interest rates

• Increasing taxes

• Extraordinary financing measures

• Issuing new bonds

What is a potential risk if Congress does not pass the infrastructure and reconciliation bills?

• Increased GDP growth

• Immediate budget surplus

• Decrease in unemployment

• Slower economic momentum

What is the estimated GDP growth contribution of the infrastructure and reconciliation bills in 2023?

• 0.5 percentage points

• 1.1 percentage points

• 2.0 percentage points

• 3.5 percentage points