In 2023, major entitlement programs—Social Security, Medicare, Medicaid, Obamacare, and other health care programs—consumed 50 percent of all federal spending. Soon, this spending will be larger than the portion of spending for all other priorities (such as national defense) combined.
Updated March 28, 2024
Source: Office of Management and Budget
Federal spending is on an unsustainable trajectory, and is the key driver of growing deficits and debt. Spending is growing faster than the economy. Raising taxes is not a workable solution because taxes cannot grow faster than the economic base in the long run.
Updated February 8, 2024
Source: Congressional Budget Office
Without reforms, spending on Medicare and Social Security is threatening even higher payroll taxes for workers.
Additional Sources: Social Security Administration
Source: Social Security Administration
If a median-income American family spent money like the U.S. government, it would have spent all of its earnings, and then put over $28,000 on the credit card in 2023 even though it was already $573,000 in debt.
Additional Sources: U.S. Census Bureau Treasury Direct
Updated February 8, 2024
Source: Congressional Budget Office
Mandatory spending and interest on the debt increase on autopilot. Congress only appropriates funds for the discretionary portion of the budget on an annual basis. Autopilot spending makes up roughly three-quarters of the budget and is growing rapidly.
Updated March 28, 2024
Source: Office of Management and Budget
Absent reform, the Congressional Budget Office projects that budget deficits will rise sharply over the coming decade. Heritage’s budget plan—Blueprint for Balance—reforms entitlements, right-sizes discretionary spending, eliminates deficits, and reduces taxes.
Additional Sources: Office of Management and Budget The Heritage Foundation’s Calculations
Source: Congressional Budget Office
Out-of-control spending in Washington is burdening each American with large and growing levels of public debt. A child born in 2023 will have a $82,590 share of publicly held federal debt upon becoming an adult.
Additional Sources: U.S. Census Bureau
Updated March 28, 2024
Source: Congressional Budget Office
