An analysis report from Reuters predicted that another economic crisis could have sprung out from a potential disagreement over the US debt cap last Thursday. The report also said the crisis could creep in quietly, and would start affecting millions of Americans.
According to Bipartisan Policy Center budget expert Steve Bell, "The 17th will come, the lights will still be on and everything will look normal for 99 percent of Americans."
After October 17, the US government would be relying on its existing USD30 billion in cash and incoming revenue to comply with its various obligations should a debt cap agreement had not been reached. Analysts had earlier predicted that the US could not sustain itself without debt.
The Congressional Budget Office projected that the US government would miss its payments starting on October 22 and by the end of the month. The Budget Office also said that much of America would not be receiving USD12 billion in Social Security pension payouts on October 23. Spending on medical and military services would fall on October 30 onwards.
Forecasting firm Macroeconomic Advisers Joel Prakken said, "Hitting the debt ceiling even briefly could cause the next recession."
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