America’s fiscal situation is daunting, with key budgetary warning signs and hurdles approaching in the near term. In August 2026, the national debt surpassed $40 trillion, yet the debt continues to grow faster than ever. What’s more, the trustees for America’s key social safety net programs, Social Security and Medicare, warned that both programs’ trust funds will be depleted within seven years. A recent chart book created by the Brookings Institution’s Jessica Riedl provides a thorough examination of the federal government’s challenging fiscal situation. Here are seven key takeaways from that chart book. […]