The national debt is a ticking timebomb. Can Congress raise the limit before we default on our loans? POLITICO’s Jennifer Scholtes reports. Plus, the Capitol physician considers recommending masks again due to the Delta variant. And the NFL says Covid outbreaks could mean forfeits.

Jennifer Scholtes is a budget and appropriations reporter for POLITICO.
Jeremy Siegel is a host for POLITICO Dispatch.
Irene Noguchi is the executive producer of POLITICO audio.
Jenny Ament is the senior producer of POLITICO audio.
Raghu Manavalan is a senior editor for POLITICO audio.

Read more: Democrats slam McConnell over debt limit timebomb

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