debt

The subject of inflation has been on many tongues in the public policy world of late – especially as Republican politicians comb every nook and cranny of the news cycle for topics with which to launch broadsides at the Biden administration. In November, Congressman Ted Budd – a candidate for Richard Burr’s soon-to-be-available U.S. Senate seat – introduced a snarky bill that would “require all personnel in the Biden White House to complete a financial literacy course focused on inflation.”

As Policy Watch reported earlier today, U.S. Senate Republicans -- including North Carolina's Thom Tillis and Richard Burr -- blocked an attempt by Democrats on Monday evening to begin debate on a broad bill that would avert multiple looming fiscal crises for the federal government. The measure in question would have kept the government operating past the end of the fiscal year on Thursday, increased the federal government's borrowing limit (also known as the "debt ceiling") and approved billions in aid for regions struck by extreme weather.