Congress Faces Criticism for Inaction on Skyrocketing U.S. Debt
The U.S. federal debt has reached an alarming $39.68 trillion, with a projected budget deficit of nearly $2 trillion for fiscal year 2026. Despite this, Congress has not prioritized deficit reduction, focusing instead on a $95 billion reconciliation package that includes funding for the Iran war, farmers, and election security, without offsetting cuts. This has led to criticism from fiscal conservatives like Rep. Chip Roy of Texas, who lost his primary to a MAGA opponent, and Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky, who highlights the unsustainable nature of current fiscal policies. The lack of bipartisan action on deficit reduction is attributed to voter apathy towards the issue, as they prioritize government programs over fiscal responsibility.