Politics

US Deficit Approaching Grim Milestone — But News Met With Crickets From Lawmakers

Flickr/Pictures of Money

Lawmakers were silent Friday and largely did not address the federal budget deficit reaching nearly $2 trillion.

The $1.993 trillion deficit was an increase of $218 billion from the previous fiscal year, according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). Lawmakers who contributed to the deficit were silent on the issue.

The budget deficit reached its highest levels in 2021, according to The Wall Street Journal. The U.S. spent $7.4 trillion in 2025, up 6%, and collected $5.4 trillion in revenue.

Former Republican Texas Rep. Ron Paul warned that the nearly $2 trillion deficit would negatively impact Republicans in the midterm elections.

“With midterms right around the corner, the hard truths are setting in and impossible to deny with honesty,” Paul said in a Friday X post. “America is not being made great again … Today, we cover the sad fact that the federal government’s budget deficit is crossing the $2 Trillion mark. Tough economic times must now continue.”

Budget experts expect the deficit to surpass 6% of gross domestic product (GDP), compared with 5.8% in the 2025 fiscal year, according to the WSJ. The U.S. is running annual deficits normally seen only during recessions and wars.

Federal debt held by the public as a share of the economy will surpass its World War II peak when wartime outlays dropped sharply after 1945—defense accounted for 84% of federal spending then. Modern outlays are largely tied to legally mandatory social programs and interest payments on the national debt.

Members of Congress bemoaned the $40 trillion national debt in August even though they voted for legislation that contributed to the debt. Lawmakers who issued several warnings about the debt included Democratic Arizona Sen. Mark Kelly, Republican Florida Sen. Rick Scott and Republican Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley.