The last increase in the debt ceiling occurred in early 2010 and President Obama signed into law on February 12, 2010. The limit stood at $14,294 billion. With large deficits emerging as [[baby boom]]ers retire, some members of Congress expressed concern over the government's dependence on borrowing to meet its obligations. President Obama responded by creating the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform (Simpson-Bowles Deficit Reduction Commission), charged with identifying “policies to improve the fiscal situation in the medium term and to achieve fiscal sustainability over the long run.”<ref>Congressional Research Service, pp. 24-25 pdf.</ref> President Obama promptly ignored the Commission's recommendations.<ref>http://www.realclearpolitics.com/2011/06/23/cbo_quotwe_don039t_estimate_speechesquot_258038.html</ref> | The last increase in the debt ceiling occurred in early 2010 and President Obama signed into law on February 12, 2010. The limit stood at $14,294 billion. With large deficits emerging as [[baby boom]]ers retire, some members of Congress expressed concern over the government's dependence on borrowing to meet its obligations. President Obama responded by creating the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform (Simpson-Bowles Deficit Reduction Commission), charged with identifying “policies to improve the fiscal situation in the medium term and to achieve fiscal sustainability over the long run.”<ref>Congressional Research Service, pp. 24-25 pdf.</ref> President Obama promptly ignored the Commission's recommendations.<ref>http://www.realclearpolitics.com/2011/06/23/cbo_quotwe_don039t_estimate_speechesquot_258038.html</ref> |