CBO: U.S. Treasury has borrowed $155 billion every month of this fiscal year

Key Points:

• The U.S. monthly borrowing for 2026 is approximately $155 billion, with net interest on public debt reaching $857 billion for the fiscal year, about $23.8 billion per week, marking a 13% increase from 2025 due to higher debt and interest rates.
• Interest payments on the national debt now exceed combined spending on several major departments, including Defense, Commerce, Homeland Security, Education, and others.
• Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid spending are rising significantly due to increased beneficiaries and higher costs, with Social Security up 5%, Medicare 8%, and Medicaid 10%, driven by the aging U.S. population.
• The U.S. median age is increasing, with a notable rise in the ratio of older men to women, reflecting demographic shifts that will continue to pressure government spending.
• Experts and fiscal watchdogs, including the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, warn of an unsustainable fiscal path and urge policymakers to reform entitlements and address borrowing before trust funds for Social Security and Medicare are exhausted within seven years.