RepublicanPlatform
- Cap discretionary spending and require work rules for some benefits
- Oppose tax increases as the main fix
- Use the debt ceiling as leverage for cuts
Issues › Economy › National debt
Economy▲ Trending +12%starter
National debt
The federal government spends more than it collects, and the gap is added to the debt. Interest is now one of the larger lines in the budget. The argument is about whether to close the gap with taxes, with spending cuts, with growth, or with some mix — and which programs are actually on the table.
Community quiz distribution
LiberalCenterConservative
Median: lean conservative · 12,110 takers
Self-selected sample, not a scientific poll.
Where the parties stand
Common positions, summarized
DemocratPlatform
- Raise revenue from high incomes and corporations
- Protect Social Security and Medicare benefits as currently structured
- Treat the debt ceiling as something to lift, not a bargaining chip
IndependentPolling
- Worry about the debt is widespread
- Agreement on which specific cut to make is not
Libertarian / OtherPlatforms
- Libertarian platforms favor deep spending cuts
- Some left platforms favor higher taxes and more public investment anyway
Key facts
Numbers people cite
Debt totalLive on the debt pageTreasury Debt to the Penny
Deficit, sample year$1.8TTreasury, sample
Interest, public issuesLive on the debt pageTreasury interest expense
Debt ceilingSet by statuteCongress, sample
Related debates
Claims with evidence on both sides
"Interest is now larger than the sample defense budget."
▲ 60% supports · ▼ 40% disputes
Top solutions
Ranked by common ground
Publish every federal grant over $1M in a searchable public ledgerCG 79
R 81% · D 74% · I 86% · L 82% · O 71%
Freeze automatic cost-of-living raises for members of Congress until the budget is balancedCG 21
R 9.8% · D 38% · I 26.5% · L 18.4% · O 22%
Two-year budget cycleCG 61
R 66% · D 55% · I 63% · L 71% · O 52%