The federal debt currently exceeds $23.4 trillion. It's estimated that it could grow by an additional $13 trillion before 2028. The current level of spending is unsustainable, and experts agree that the current deficit will have disastrous consequences for the economy.
The US basically owes money to two groups:
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The public
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Intragovernmental holdings
How does the federal debt work?
The government finances the operation of the different federal agencies by issuing treasuries. The Treasury Department is in charge of issuing enough savings bonds, Treasury bonds, and Treasury inflation-protected securities to finance the government's current budget.
Revenues generated by taxes are used to pay the bonds that come to maturity. Investors, including banks, foreign governments and individuals, can cash in on these bonds when they reach maturity. The debt ceiling is the cap that is set on what the Treasury Department can issue.
Congress keeps raising the debt ceiling to finance government spending. A deficit occurs when spending increases faster than revenues.
Who owns this debt?
The public owes 74 percent of the current federal debt. Intragovernmental debt accounts for 26 percent or $5.9 trillion. The public includes foreign investors and foreign governments. These two groups account for 30 percent of the debt. Individual investors and banks represent 15 percent of the debt.
The Federal Reserve is holding 12 percent of the treasuries issued. The Federal Reserve has been purchasing these bonds to keep interest rates low after the 2008 Financial Crisis. States and local governments hold 5 percent of the debt.
Foreign governments who have purchased U.S. treasuries include China, Japan, Brazil, Ireland, the U.K. and others. China represents 29 percent of all treasuries issued to other countries, which corresponds to $1.18 trillion. Japan holds the equivalent of $1.03 trillion in treasuries.
Investing in U.S. treasuries is a deliberate strategy for foreign countries. China has been using these bonds to keep the Yuan weaker than the U.S. dollar and benefit from low import prices. Intragovernmental debt encompasses different funds and holdings.
Some agencies take in revenues and use this money to purchase treasury bonds. This makes the revenues usable by other agencies, and these bonds can be redeemed in the future when these funds and holdings need money.
Social security and disability insurance accounts for half of the intragovernmental debt. Medicare accounts for 3 percent, and retirement funds for the military and civil servants represent 36 percent of this debt.
What are the consequences of the current deficit level?
Borrowing at this rate is causing the cost of debt to increase. Securing additional funds is becoming increasingly difficult, and the government is faced with higher interest rates. It is estimated that the interest alone on the current federal debt will reach $7 trillion over the next 10 years.
By 2026, interest would represent the third largest category in terms of government spending. Higher interest rates are creating a snowball effect that results in the debt growing at an increasingly faster pace. High interest rates are also affecting consumers who end up spending more on mortgages and other loans.
The federal deficit will also impact economic growth and the private sector. A deficit means there are less funds available for projects that would dynamize the economy, such as financing construction projects to improve the country's infrastructure.
The government is also flooding financial markets with treasuries, which means the private sector will have an increasingly hard time with securing funds from investors.
Want to know more about the consequences of the current deficit level? Check our charts about the national debt and its effects.
What can you do about this issue? Take action!
There are currently no plans to reduce federal spending or increase revenues. This is an issue that will affect future generations and greatly reduce economic growth for the years to come. Net Impact has been raising awareness on this issue and advocating for responsible fiscal policies with our Up to Us program. You can make a difference by hosting an event in your campus and raising awareness of our fiscal future. With the 2020 election coming up, it is important that we are informed on how our votes can shape our future. Check out the 2020 Election page to learn more about fiscal issues, voter registration, and how to get involved with this year's election.