Even as America's elected officials have bickered endlessly about the nation's debt load over the past few years, some Americans have quietly taken a different tack.
They've been voluntarily giving the government a little extra help with that debt problem.
The U.S. Treasury accepts gift contributions to help pay down the public debt – and has already received nearly $1 million so far this fiscal year.
The total amount contributed may do little to actually reduce the trillions in U.S. debt, but – as with most gifts – it’s the thought that counts.
“It’s nice to know, you know, there are folks out here who feel ... patriotic and thankful for what this country has done,” said Joyce Harris, director of legislative and public affairs for the Bureau of the Fiscal Service. “It definitely does make you feel good.”
On Tuesday, the latest debt ceiling fight ended with a whimper rather than a roar when Congress voted to approve the extension of the debt limit to 2015. The Senate is expected to take it up later in the week.
The donations vary by year, but have generally stayed strong even through the Great Recession, weak recovery and bouts of bickering on Capitol Hill. The fiscal year that ended in September 2012 was especially robust, with more than $7.7 million in total donations.