See For Yourself: Uncle Sam's Bank Account Running Low | TIME.com

Watch American's Money Disappear In Real Time
President Barack Obama meets with Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., and Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., in the Oval Office of the White House, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013, in Washington. The federal government remains partially shut down and faces a first-ever default between Oct. 17 and the end of the month. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)
President Barack Obama meets with Sen. Dick Durbin, D-Ill., Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., and Sen. Patty Murray, D-Wash., in the Oval Office of the White House, Saturday, Oct. 12, 2013, in Washington. The federal government remains partially shut down and faces a first-ever default between Oct. 17 and the end of the month. (AP Photo/Carolyn Kaster)

The federal government tracks its finances just like everyone else: with a bank account that records its assets, expenditures and (substantial) debts.

Popular in the Community

Close

What's Hot