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Subscribe

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NEWSLETTER

Register with us to become part of an important movement to develop long-term, nonpartisan fiscal solutions for a healthy growing economy. By signing up, you’ll receive our email newsletter with relevant and timely information on economic and fiscal policy.

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  • The Fiscal Challenge
    • Our National Debt

      Understand the U.S. national debt, why it matters, and what we can do.

      Understanding the Federal Budget

      Learn about the budget, how it’s created, and how we can fix our budgeting process.

      $39T

      National Debt

      $1T

      FY26 Deficit

  • Issues
      • Fiscal Outlook

      • The U.S. Budget

      • Policy Proposals

      • Individual Taxes

      • Corporate Taxes

      • Democracy

      • Healthcare

      • Social Programs

      • Defense Spending

      • Economic Outlook

      • See all Issues

  • Programs and Projects
      • Advancing Fiscal Solutions

      • Engaging Young Americans

      • Strengthening Our Democracy

      • Convening Experts

      • See all Programs

  • Resources

Current Federal Debt & Deficit

By briteweb | March 11, 2026

See the latest numbers on the national deficit for this fiscal year and how it compares to previous years.

Read More

The Fed Held Its Target Range After Reducing the Short-Term Rate Three Meetings in a Row

By amymcleod | March 6, 2026
Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell Holds News Conference On Interest Rates

High interest rates on U.S. Treasury securities increase the federal government’s borrowing costs.

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How Does the United States’ Fiscal Position Compare to Other Countries’?

By jcurry | March 6, 2026
Banknotes

The United States has higher budget deficits and spends more on interest costs than its peers.

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Top 10 Reasons Why the National Debt Matters

By briteweb | February 27, 2026
National debt clock

At $39 trillion and rising, the national debt threatens America’s economic future. Here are the top ten reasons why the national debt matters.

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What Is the National Debt Costing Us?

By briteweb | February 12, 2026
National debt clock

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.

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Interest Costs on the National Debt Are Reaching All-Time Highs

By jcurry | February 12, 2026
The dome of the U.S. Capitol

The most recent CBO projections confirm once again that America’s fiscal outlook is on an unsustainable path — increasingly driven by higher interest costs.

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New Report: National Debt Outlook Gets Worse as Interest Costs Exceed $1 Trillion Annually

By aklawitter | February 11, 2026
Capitol Building

A new CBO report shows that the national debt outlook worsened from last year’s projections.

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Experts Identify Lessons from History for America Today

By jcurry | November 13, 2025
Flags from around the world

A distinguished group of experts to evaluate America’s current fiscal landscape with an historical perspective.

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Expert Views: Lessons from History for America Today

By aklawitter | November 13, 2025

We asked six experts to look across history for lessons that shed light on today’s fiscal, economic, and political challenges.

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What Are Interest Costs on the National Debt?

By briteweb | July 14, 2025
Federal Reserve Bank

Interest costs are on track to become the largest category of spending in the federal budget.

Read More
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