E300 - America Is Spending Nearly 20% of Its Revenue on Interest
Published: September 1, 2026
Duration: 6:11
Episode 300 of The Secret War on Cash returns to the issue that has become increasingly difficult for Washington to avoid: debt.
Dean Heskin and Chris Agelastos begin with an article stating that annual U.S. interest expense has reached its highest share of federal revenue since 1991.
According to the figures discussed in the episode, interest costs are approaching 20% of federal revenue.
Chris compares the situation with an individual earning $50,000 annually and losing a substantial share simply servicing credit-card interest without reducing the underlying balance.
The comparison becomes more troubling when the hosts loo...
Dean Heskin and Chris Agelastos begin with an article stating that annual U.S. interest expense has reached its highest share of federal revenue since 1991.
According to the figures discussed in the episode, interest costs are approaching 20% of federal revenue.
Chris compares the situation with an individual earning $50,000 annually and losing a substantial share simply servicing credit-card interest without reducing the underlying balance.
The comparison becomes more troubling when the hosts loo...