In order to meet its operational obligations, the U.S. Treasury Department requires authorization from Congress to raise the debt limit, currently set at $6.4 trillion. The U.S. has been up against the debt ceiling since February 20, utilizing accounting maneuvers to avoid default, most of which are now exhausted. The conference report for the FY2004 budget resolution (H.Con.Res. 95) prescribed an increase in the debt limit of $984 billion and automatic House passage of a bill increasing the debt limit by that amount (H.J.Res. 51). The Senate passed the debt limit bill without any amendments.