### Question
Can you define what net public debt means?


### Answer
**Net public debt** is defined as the following in *31 U.S.C. § 3130*:

> 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**

