US total debt $40.5 trillion... budget deadline December 11

U.S. federal gross debt reached $40.5 trillion as of November 2, while Congress must secure new government operating funds by December 11, when the stopgap budget signed by President Donald Trump under Public Law 119-103 expires. The midterm elections on November 3 gave Democrats majorities in both the House and Senate, according to AP, but the new Congress will not be seated before the funding deadline. The budget deadline, the statutory debt ceiling, and the long-term fiscal deficit are separate issues, and failure to pass formal appropriations or another stopgap measure by December 11 could halt some government functions. Budget negotiations to avert that outcome are now set to unfold with Democrats holding congressional majorities.