GOP WEIGHS DEBT-LIMIT HIKE BEFORE NEW CONGRESS Republican lawmakers are considering raising the U.S. debt ceiling during the post-election lame-duck session, potentially using budget reconciliation to avoid needing Democratic votes. House Budget Chair Jodey Arrington has floated a roughly $4 trillion increase, after Congress raised the ceiling by $5 trillion to $41 trillion in 2025. The proposal would address borrowing needs expected to become more pressing in 2027, while Congress also faces a Dec. 11 government-funding deadline.(彭博社)