The Federal Government Has Borrowed Trillions. Who Owns All that Debt?
Most federal debt is owed to domestic holders, but foreign ownership is much higher now than it was about 50 years ago.
Read MoreThe Current Ratio of Workers to Social Security Beneficiaries Is at an All-Time Low and Projected to Decline Further
Social Security has been a cornerstone of economic security for more than 90 years, but the program is on unsound footing.
Read MoreInfographic: The Facts About U.S. Defense Spending
National security is both a vital priority and a significant part of the federal budget.
Read MoreThe National Debt Can Crowd Out Investments in the Economy — Here’s How
Large amounts of federal debt could “crowd out” investments by the private sector, making the economy less productive and stunting wage growth.
Read MorePayroll Taxes: What Are They and What Do They Fund?
Payroll taxes fund social insurance programs including Social Security and Medicare and are the second-largest source of revenues for the federal government.
Read MoreDebt vs. Deficits: What’s the Difference?
The words debt and deficit come up frequently in debates about policy decisions. The two concepts are similar, but are often confused.
Read MoreHow Much Government Spending Goes to Children?
Interest costs on the national debt are expected to rapidly outstrip spending on children in coming years.
Read MoreThe United States Spends More on Defense than the Next 6 Countries Combined
Defense spending by the United States accounted for 33 percent of military expenditures by countries around the world.
Read MoreBudget Basics: What Is the Earned Income Tax Credit?
The earned income tax credit (EITC) is a measure administered through the tax code to address poverty.
Read MoreHow Much Does the Government Spend on International Affairs?
Federal spending for international affairs, which supports American diplomacy and development aid, is a small portion of the U.S. budget.
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