"The CBO breakdown shows the deficit so far this year is actually smaller than it was for the same period a year prior. However, every day the Treasury is still forking out billions of dollars to manage existing service payments to lenders. The report demonstrates the government's largest outlays: $953 billion so far this year for Social Security benefits, $588 billion for Medicare, and $409 billion for Medicaid. Net interest on public debt is a larger figure than both Medicare and Medicaid, totaling $628 billion for the seven months between October and April."
"On those numbers, for the 212 days since October, the Treasury's interest payments have averaged at just shy of $3 billion a day-$2.96 billion to be precise. The interest payment figure is rising with every budget update that passes, the CBO said: "Outlays for net interest on the public debt rose by $41 billion (or 7%) because the debt was larger than it was in the first seven months of fiscal year 2025 and because of higher long-term interest rates. Declines in short-term interest rates partially mitigated the overall rise in interest payments.""
"The overall debt picture has marginally improved: The April update shows government income totaled $3.3 trillion for the fiscal year so far, up from $3.1 trillion for October to April of 2025. Outlays have also increased, from $4.2 trillion to $4.3 trillion, meaning the deficit for FY26 stands at $955 billion, which is $94 billion less than for the same period in FY25. A significant driver in this change was the revenue generated by Trump's tariff agenda, intended to rebalance trade deals with every nation on the planet"
The U.S. Treasury has paid $628 billion in net interest on public debt during the first seven months of fiscal year 2026, averaging $2.96 billion per day over 212 days since October. Net interest outlays are larger than Medicare and Medicaid outlays so far. Social Security benefits total $953 billion, Medicare totals $588 billion, and Medicaid totals $409 billion during the same period. Net interest outlays rose by $41 billion, or 7%, because the debt was larger and long-term interest rates were higher, with declines in short-term rates partially offsetting the increase. Government income totals $3.3 trillion and outlays total $4.3 trillion, leaving a $955 billion deficit that is $94 billion less than the same period in FY25, supported by revenue from tariff policy.
#us-national-debt #net-interest-on-public-debt #federal-budget-deficit #social-security-and-medicare #tariff-revenue
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