A set of new budget estimates from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) reveals that even if the President’s budget were implemented in full, debt would still exceed its all-time high by the end of the decade and the deficit at that point would reach $2 trillion. The updated estimates in the Mid-Session Review also assume steady economic growth and no major unforeseen events, such as the 2008 recession or the COVID-19 pandemic. While the $3.3 trillion in deficit reduction proposed in the President’s budget is a step in the right direction, the numbers make clear that it is not enough, as deficits would remain well above levels typically seen during stable economic times. The report serves as a reminder that the country is on an unsustainable fiscal path; however, the good news is that many solutions are available to chart a sustainable fiscal path forward.
Image credit: Photo by Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images
Further Reading
7 Charts That Illustrate America’s Growing Fiscal Stress
America’s fiscal situation is daunting, with key budgetary warning signs and hurdles approaching in the near term.
Fed Raises Rates for First Time Since 2023 as Interest Costs Top $1 Trillion
High interest rates on U.S. Treasury securities increase the federal government’s borrowing costs.
Bond Market Movements Point to Growing Fiscal Risks
As ratings agencies have serially warned, U.S. debt growth is unsustainable, and global investors appear to be weighing the risks of financing U.S. deficits more heavily.