Home Programs and Projects Programs: Fiscal Policy

Advancing Fiscal Solutions

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America’s fiscal challenges are serious, but they are solvable.

We support and produce a wide range of unbiased, substantive research and data, helping policymakers, journalists and the public develop a fuller understanding of our fiscal and economic outlook — and illuminating a way forward.

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Debt-to-GDP Ratio

The national debt is approximately the size of the entire economy and is projected to exceed its record high in 4 years.

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FY2026 Deficit

At the end of FY26, the deficit was $217 billion above last year’s. 

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Fiscal Confidence Index (100 is neutral)

Americans are deeply concerned about the rising national debt and its effect on the cost of living.

Many Solutions Exist

Solutions Initiative

The Solutions Initiative brings together leading policy organizations from across the political spectrum to develop comprehensive plans to put America on a stronger, more sustainable fiscal path.

Learn More

Highlights From Our Grantees & Partners

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The Cost of Temporary Tax Policy

Why would Congress make temporary tax policy, especially for tax cuts that lawmakers want to be permanent? Bipartisan Policy Center reviews the reasons and consequences.

Read Report on bipartisanpolicy.org
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Health and Economy Baseline Estimates

The American Action Forum details the most recent estimates of insurance coverage, federal budgetary impact, plan choice, and the premium landscape of health insurance for Americans under the age of 65.

Read Report on americanactionforum.org

Program Highlights

Chart Packs

Chart Packs

Chart packs offer compelling visualizations of the competing priorities, complex issues and meaningful trends that define our budget-making process and fiscal outlook.

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Current Federal Deficit and Debt

These charts place monthly Treasury data in recent context and break down spending and revenues. 

The national debt is $40 trillion and growing.

National Debt Clock

See the latest numbers and learn more about the causes of our high and rising national debt. 

Federal Reserve Bank

Interest Costs on the National Debt

See interest costs on the national debt for this fiscal year and projections for the next 10 years.

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Fiscal Confidence Index

FCI tracks the American public’s views about our fiscal condition and the progress elected leaders are making in addressing it.

WASHINGTON, DC - JANUARY 31: A view of empty Democrat seats during a meeting of the Senate Finance Committee to vote on the nominations of cabinet nominees Tom Price and Steve Mnuchin, on Capitol Hill, January 31, 2017 in Washington, DC. Senate Democrats on the committee did not show up for the meeting and are boycotting Mnuchin and Price committee votes. (Photo by Drew Angerer/Getty Images)

Budget Terms and Processes

Understanding what’s happening on Capitol Hill requires an understanding of the Congressional budget process — which is notoriously technical, complex and arcane.

Further Reading

More Resources