At a 5% average interest rate, $63 trillion in debt means about $3.15 trillion a year just to pay interest. By 2036, that could consume roughly 56% of federal revenue outside payroll taxes.

At a 5% average interest rate, $63 trillion in debt means about $3.15 trillion a year just to pay interest.

By 2036, that could consume roughly 56% of federal revenue outside payroll taxes.

That’s interest fragility. Eventually you’re borrowing just to cover the cost of past… pic.twitter.com/msAPZP98yg

— Rep. David Schweikert (@RepDavid) September 11, 2026