Treasury notes are government debt securities issued by the U.S. Department of the Treasury to help finance national spending. They typically have maturities ranging from 2 to 10 years and pay interest every six months until they mature. Investors buy Treasury notes as a way to earn a stable return with low risk, as they are backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. government. At maturity, the principal amount is returned to the investor, making them a popular choice for conservative investment portfolios.