The U.S. Treasury Department just upgraded its debt‑payment options, letting Americans send cash via Venmo or PayPal to the “Gifts to Reduce the Public Debt” portal on Pay.gov. The debt now stands at $36.7 trillion (up from $19.59 trillion in 2010, nearly an 87% jump), and donations remain tiny.
Since the program began in 1996, Americans have chipped in just $67.3 million. That’s pocket change next to the federal debt.
Meanwhile, the fiscal picture is only getting worse. The Congressional Budget Office projects a $3.4 trillion increase over the next decade under the recently passed “Big, Beautiful Bill.” No amount of Venmo love is likely to slow that trend.
This donation option may satisfy public curiosity and offer a fun way to participate in national finance, but it’s not a policy solution.
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