Number: RS20302
Title: Paying Down the Federal Debt: A Discussion of Methods
Authors: James M. Bickley, Economics Division 
Abstract: The federal government has been running budget surpluses. As federal debt issues mature, the Treasury has been lowering the amount of outstanding publicly held debt by reducing and eliminating new debt issuance. On August 4, 1999, the Treasury published for comment proposed rules to permit it to repurchase outstanding debt securities before maturity. This report examines the issue of options of repaying the debt.
Pages: 5
Date: Updated February 1, 2002