US passes debt-limit bill: Your views

John Boehner (centre) said the debt plan could "help get the American people back to work"

The US House of Representatives has passed a deal to avoid a federal debt default by 269 votes to 161.

The bill is expected to be approved by the Senate and signed into law by President Barack Obama on Tuesday.

It raises the debt limit by up to $2.4tn (£1.5tn) - from $14.3tn - making savings of at least $2.1tn in 10 years.

BBC News website readers shared their reaction to the vote and expressed their hopes for the future of the US and world economy.

John Campbell, St. Louis, MO, US

The US has designed a rescue package that is much kinder than the IMF would impose on an emerging nation that was bankrupt.

Republicans and Democrats have failed their citizens by pursuing their fantasies beyond the means to pay.

Welfare spending is as out of control as defence. Both parties have to show statesmanship and cut their totems.

Somehow the United States needs to unite. It needs to rediscover a common purpose and rebuild finances by consent and collaboration.

The high rhetoric and mindless insults should be replaced by mutual respect. Let's hope the political class can show some stature - having taken the nation to the brink.

Ken Charman, Wokingham, UK

While I hate to see the US government raise its debt limit, I also abhor the fact that it would default on its payments.

It is imperative that the government reign itself in and reduce spending on all but the most necessary items.

I truly believe that military spending is necessary but also believe that cuts should be made in certain areas, or at least have better "eyes" on what is being spent.

I do not believe in the entitlement programmes, they are a major reason for such high spending which is out of control.

Tax increases will not work as there has been no precedent for them working in the past, only the opposite. The US Congress must live by the same laws as the rest of the nation, and wake up to what is really happening in the world, especially at home.

Raising the debt limit is only a temporary solution, but not a long term fix. Cutting spending, and "living as the rest of us" live is the needed solution. When I run of money, I cannot raise my debt limit. The same needs to happen nationally.

Wilton Haffey, Utica, US

The news of a vote to avoid default is good news. Not that I agree with this bill, but the other option is unthinkable.

The sight of Congresswoman Gabrielle Giffords walking on to the floor of the house was great news, as it was her first appearance on Capitol Hill since she was shot in Tucson in January. The words of the minority leader were so fitting and true.

The nation celebrates her return. Now on to the Senate - hopefully it will pass there. Just one note, it takes 60 votes to end debate, but only 51 votes to pass after debate is over.

I am not sure that they will try to talk the bill to death, but who knows

Your comments

As a nonpartisan voter, this bill appears simply to be a delaying countermeasure. The only reason it's even being agreed upon now is because the wealthy and influential have realised that if they don't come to a consensus, their own wallets will suffer too. Eventually, taxes will have to be raised. Spending will have to be cut. Nobody is going to come out of this happy in the end, and we can only hope that our elected officials wake up to the fact that an unpopular compromise is imperative before things go too much further. Elizabeth, Atlanta

I think that the Democratic party need to stand up and acknowledge what is really going on. The Republicans are in the process of getting rid of the middle class as we know it. I'm not hearing this acknowledged out loud by anyone. I'm pretty disgusted by all of them. I admire President Obama tremendously but I don't understand why he does some of the things he does. I don't know what is going to happen. I'm open to change and I will be helping with the next election so I hope we can get to some type of stability as a nation because we really need it. P Brookins, Portland

As with the decline of any world economic hegemony the US has over-extended itself which led to the deficit and in turn the debt spiralling out of control. Now there is a real problem. Before now there has been enough to avoid prioritising. Let's see what we can agree on to cut from our society as people. AJ, Seattle

It is a necessary legislation to prevent default, but it is very frustrating. It feels yet again as if the Republicans have taken way more than they have been willing to give. This was not a compromise. Jo Kennedy, Boston

The news of a vote to avoid default is good news. Not that I agree with this bill, but the other option is unthinkable. The sight of Cong. Gifford walking on to the floor of the house was great news. The words of the minority leader were so fitting and true. The nation celebrates her return. Now on to the Senate - hopefully it will pass there. Just one note, it takes 60 votes to end debate, but only 51 votes to pass after debate is over. I am not sure that they will try to talk the bill to death, but who knows. Wilton Haffey, Utica

Democracy isn't about everyone getting along. It's about everyone getting a fair hearing. The debate over the debt ceiling looked ugly, bitter and partisan, but all sides were able to state their case clearly and forcefully. Vigorous debate is exactly what the United States Congress is for. Let us never forget that. Richard Montoya, Detroit