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The NPR Politics Podcast

The big deal with a big debt

August 31, 2026·17m

The federal debt is up to $40 trillion and counting. The budget deficit is increasing, too. What does that mean for American taxpayers? We explain. This episode: senior political correspondent Tamara Keith, congressional reporter Eric McDaniel, and chief economics correspondent Scott Horsley. This podcast was produced and edited by Casey Morell and Bria Suggs. Our executive producer is Muthoni Muturi. Support public media with NPR+ and enjoy perks for over 25 podcasts like this one.