Congress has long struggled to pass spending bills on time
Congress has passed all its required appropriations measures on time only four times in nearly five decades.
Government Spending & the Deficit
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Government Spending & the Deficit
Publications
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Key facts about the U.S. national debt
Private investors are the biggest holders of national debt – $24.4 trillion as of March 2025 – followed by federal trust funds and retirement programs.
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How Americans view the GOP’s budget and tax bill
Far more Americans oppose the legislation than favor it. Nearly half (49%) oppose it, while 29% favor it. Another 21% are not sure.
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What the data says about Social Security
Most U.S. adults said Social Security benefits shouldn’t be reduced in any way – a view broadly shared across ages, racial and ethnic groups, partisan affiliations and income brackets.
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Americans see a role for the federal government in many domains, but some large partisan divisions persist
Nearly all Americans say the federal government has a responsibility to provide a strong military and secure the nation’s borders.
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Americans’ Views of Government’s Role: Persistent Divisions and Areas of Agreement
Most Biden supporters favor a bigger government with a strong social safety net. Trump backers generally take the opposing view.
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Biden, Trump supporters both say the U.S. economic system unfairly favors powerful interests
Trump and Biden supporters share a fair amount of common ground when it comes to criticisms of the U.S. economic system.
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What the data says about food stamps in the U.S.
The food stamp program is one of the larger federal social welfare initiatives, and in its current form has been around for nearly six decades.
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Inflation, Health Costs, Partisan Cooperation Among the Nation’s Top Problems
Democrats hold the edge on many issues, but more Americans agree with Republicans on the economy, crime and immigration. Inflation remains the top concern for Republicans and Republican-leaning independents, with 77% saying it is a very big problem. For Democrats and Democratic leaners, gun violence is the top concern, with about 81% saying it is a very big problem.
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Economy Remains the Public’s Top Policy Priority; COVID-19 Concerns Decline Again
Americans now see reducing the budget deficit as a higher priority for the president and Congress to address than in recent years. But strengthening the economy continues to be the public’s top policy priority.
