US Congressional Funding Fight Continues As National Debt Hits Record $34 Trillion

In a report issued on January 2, the Treasury Department announced that America's gross national debt has surpassed $34 trillion. Associated Press (AP) reports that the record-high debt signals impending political and economic challenges for the U.S. in the near future. U.S. debt has emerged as a major source of political tension, dividing Washington ahead of a potential government shutdown due to an inability to approve an annual budget.