### Question
How is the "net public debt" defined?


### Answer
The term **net public debt** is defined in *31 U.S.C. § 3130* as follows -

> the portion of the total public debt which is held by the public

#### Citation:
  - *31 U.S.C. § 3130*
  - Heading: **SUBTITLE III-FINANCIAL MANAGEMENT > CHAPTER 31-PUBLIC DEBT > SUBCHAPTER II-ADMINISTRATIVE**

