U.S. approaching $16.4T debt ceiling.

While much attention has focused on averting the fiscal cliff, the U.S. is just $66B below its $16.4T debt ceiling, which it's due to hit towards the end of the month. The Treasury would then embark on some fiscal maneuvering that could buy it another 6-10 weeks. As with the fiscal cliff, Republicans want cuts to entitlement programs before agreeing to increase the debt limit again.