FISCAL BLOG

The combination of higher debt levels and elevated interest rates have increased the cost of federal borrowing.

The primary deficit focuses on the difference between government revenues and spending, excluding interest payments. Learn more about the U.S. primary deficit.

Social Security is an essential program for millions of Americans, but it’s at risk if lawmakers fail to take action to reform the program.

Let's take a closer look at a few key characteristics of Treasury borrowing that can affect its budgetary cost.

Despite higher healthcare spending, America’s health outcomes are not any better than those in other developed countries.

Right now, Social Security’s finances are in trouble, and without reform the program will be unable to pay out full benefits in about a decade.

Programs that millions of Americans depend on and care about may be feeling a squeeze from interest costs on our high and rising national debt.

The nation’s high and rising levels of debt can affect economic growth and pose a number of risks.

Twenty years ago, the United States was on track to substantially reduce the debt, but spending increases and tax cuts altered that course.

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.