The U.S. national debt is growing fast and doesn’t seem to be slowing down. As of November 19th, it was about $35.96 trillion, up by $4.8 billion from the day before. Just 40 years ago, it was around $907 billion. Experts are concerned that the rising debt could hurt the economy in the future, especially since interest payments are now higher than spending on Medicare and the military. The Congressional Budget Office predicts the debt could reach $54 trillion in 10 years.
This growing debt has led to worries about America’s financial future. In 2023, Fitch Ratings lowered the country’s credit score because of concerns over the government’s ability to control the debt. The debt grew due to President Biden’s spending, including $4.8 trillion for COVID-19 relief and infrastructure. While Biden says he reduced the debt by $1.7 trillion, this was mainly from ending pandemic programs.
A big issue with the growing debt is that higher interest rates have made it more expensive to pay. Interest payments are expected to triple from $475 billion in 2022 to $1.4 trillion by 2032. By 2053, the government could be paying $5.4 trillion in interest, more than it spends on Social Security, Medicare, and other programs combined.
To help with this, a new advisory group called the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) has been proposed. Led by billionaire Elon Musk and entrepreneur Vivek Ramaswamy, DOGE aims to reduce government waste and inefficiency. It isn’t a federal department but an advisory group that could help improve government spending.
Musk suggests that DOGE could cut the U.S. federal budget by up to $2 trillion by reducing unnecessary agencies, cutting down the federal workforce, and combining more than 400 agencies into fewer than 100.DOGE’s goal is to reduce government spending and make the U.S. more financially stable. By cutting waste, the government could free up money for critical areas that help the economy grow. Experts believe that reducing the debt and improving government efficiency would not only strengthen the economy but also provide better opportunities for future generations.
Though DOGE is still in the planning stages, it has the potential to bring about important changes and help the U.S. begin the long process of reducing its national debt.
General informational content only. Not tax, legal, or investment advice. Consult a financial professional before making investment decisions. Conduct due diligence. All investments involve risk, including potential loss of principal.
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