Government Spending & the Deficit

As concern about federal spending rises among both Democrats and Republicans, here's a primer on the national debt of the United States.

Americans now see reducing the budget deficit as a higher priority for the president and Congress to address than in recent years. But strengthening the economy continues to be the public’s top policy priority.

Americans’ views of the economy remain negative; most say prices have gotten worse while job availability has improved.

Americans show more support than opposition for two infrastructure bills; majorities favor raising taxes on large businesses and high-income households.

More Americans say the Biden administration made a "good faith" effort working with the opposition than say the same of GOP leaders.

Response to the pandemic has pushed the federal budget higher than it's been in decades, but Americans are slightly less concerned about the deficit than in recent years.

Most Americans say economic problems resulting from the coronavirus outbreak will last for at least six months.

Around six-in-ten Democrats support increased spending for scientific research, compared with 40% of Republicans, a gap that has grown over time.

When Americans are asked to make up the budget for the federal government, they have little appetite for austerity measures. Asked about 13 different government program areas, from veterans benefits to foreign aid, no more than about a quarter favor reducing spending in any specific area. The survey by Pew Research Center, conducted March 20-25 […]

About half of Americans say reducing the budget deficit should be a top policy priority this year for the president and Congress.