The debt ceiling is a numerical limit, set by Congress, on how much money the federal government can borrow to pay its bills. Increasing the debt ceiling is a routine congressional task, but Republicans want to hold it hostage to make cuts to Social Security and Medicare, even though failing to raise the limit would cause massive economic devastation.
State. Sen Lisa Boscola introduced a plan this week to suspend the state’s 57.6-cent-per gallon gas tax—the highest in the nation—for two months in order to reduce the cost of gas in the commonwealth. Boscola’s bill will require approval by the Republican-led legislature to become law.