# What's driving federal debt and who's to blame

> Federal debt growth stems from Medicare, Medicaid, ACA subsidies and Social Security spending, with tax cuts adding 30% of the deficit.
- Title: What's driving federal debt and who's to blame · Seattletimes
- Summary: Federal debt growth stems from Medicare, Medicaid, ACA subsidies and Social Security spending, with tax cuts adding 30% of the deficit. The federal deficit…
- Keywords: federal debt, medicare, medicaid, affordable care act, social security, tax cuts, federal deficit, news, local, What's, driving, federal
- Source: Seattletimes — https://seattletimes.com/opinion/the-not-so-surprising-factor-driving-the-federal-debt
- Read time: 1 min
- Topics: federal debt, medicare, medicaid, affordable care act, social security, tax cuts, federal deficit, news, local
## Federal debt growth
The federal government spends more than it collects in revenue, causing a red ink problem.
## Spending growth drives debt
Nearly three-quarters of federal debt comes from spending growth in Medicare, Medicaid, ACA subsidies, and Social Security.
## Tax cuts add 30% deficit
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act and 2019 tax cuts contributed 30% of the deficit through tax reductions.
## Two periods of deficit growth
87% of deficit growth happened in two periods: 1965-1972 and 2010-present, with only 13% from intervening years.
## Legislative hubris in 1965-1972
Medicare and Medicaid were created in 1965, followed by expansions of both programs and Social Security in the early 1970s.
## Recent deficit drivers
Medicaid and ACA spending growth, Medicare, Social Security, veterans' benefits, and military retirement spending drive the deficit.
## Presidential vs. congressional blame
65% of deficit growth was enacted during Democratic control, 29% during Republican control, and 6% under split control.
## Current president's role
President Donald Trump is the biggest contributor to deficit growth due to tax cuts enacted during his two terms.
## Key takeaway

The federal deficit is driven by spending growth in Medicare, Medicaid, ACA subsidies, and Social Security, with tax cuts contributing 30%.