The U.S. Treasury has announced plans to borrow a staggering $1.007 trillion in the third quarter, a move attributed to the need to restore its cash reserves, which were depleted during the recent debt ceiling crisis.
What Happened: The Treasury’s borrowing projection for the third quarter is significantly higher than the $453 billion estimated in April, primarily due to a lower starting cash balance and anticipated reduced net cash flows. The department foresees a cash balance of $850 billion at the end of September.
This substantial borrowing is necessary to rebuild the Treasury’s cash reserves, which were depleted following the enactment of President Donald Trump‘s tax and spending bill on July 4. The debt ceiling was raised by $5 trillion to $41.1 trillion after the new spending legislation was signed into law.
As of July 3, the Treasury's cash balance had dropped to $313 billion, according to data from money market research firm Wrightson ICAP. Looking ahead, the Treasury anticipates borrowing $590 billion in the fourth quarter, based on a projected year-end cash balance of $850 billion.
Why It Matters: The Treasury’s decision to borrow such a substantial amount is a direct result of the recent debt ceiling crisis and the subsequent need to replenish its cash reserves.
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