The U.S. budget deficit is rising amid COVID-19, but public concern about it is falling
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.
Positive Economic Views Plummet; Support for Government Aid Crosses Party Lines
Most Americans say economic problems resulting from the coronavirus outbreak will last for at least six months.
Democrats more supportive than Republicans of federal spending for scientific research
Around six-in-ten Democrats support increased spending for scientific research, compared with 40% of Republicans, a gap that has grown over time.
5 facts about the national debt
As of the end of June, the federal government's total debt stands at $22.023 trillion. The nation's debt is now bigger than its GDP.
Little Public Support for Reductions in Federal Spending
Fewer Americans view deficit reduction as a top priority as the nation's red ink increases
About half of Americans say reducing the budget deficit should be a top policy priority this year for the president and Congress.
Americans view this shutdown much as they did past ones – negatively and with much anxiety
No matter who they blamed for previous government shutdowns or how much they felt personally affected by them, most Americans have had negative opinions about them.
The data casualties of the federal government shutdown
The government shutdown has squeezed the daily flood of data from federal agencies down to a trickle. Take a look at what data are and are not available.
Congress has long struggled to pass spending bills on time
In the four decades that the current system for budgeting and spending tax dollars has been in effect, Congress has managed to pass all required appropriations bills on time only four times.
With Budget Debate Looming, Growing Share of Public Prefers Bigger Government