Government articles
Just the Facts on the US national debt
In this episode of Just the Facts, Steve Ballmer breaks down the data behind America’s national debt using official U.S. government sources. The US national debt now exceeds $38 trillion, the highest level in history. But that number alone doesn’t explain what the debt is, how it grew, or what it means for the economy.
Just the Facts on federal, state, and local government finances
In this episode of Just the Facts, Steve Ballmer breaks down how government responsibilities and spending are divided across federal, state, and local governments in the United States, using official government data. With nearly 91,000 government entities nationwide, understanding who does what — and who pays for it — is more complicated than it might seem.
How many civilian jobs are in the US federal government?
There are about 2.68 million civilian jobs in the federal government as of July 2026. Federal jobs include all jobs ranging from janitors to air traffic controllers to nurses to postal workers and more. (Enlisted service people are considered government employees but aren’t included in this figure because they’re not civilians.) Out of the 158.9 million nonfarm jobs in the US, 1.7% are in the federal government, the nation’s largest employer. Another way to look at it: The federal government is responsible for one in every 60 jobs.
What percentage of public school funding in the US comes from the federal government?
About 12.9% or one in every eight dollars of public school funding came from the federal government during the 2022–23 school year. Local and state governments typically provide most school district funding, with the federal government providing in the rest. Federal sources provide as little as 0% and as much as 88.2% of funding, depending on the district. Federal funding depends on factors such as poverty levels and other student demographics, availability of state and local revenues, and whether a district is urban, suburban, or rural. During 2022–23, which is the latest year of data available, public schools received $126.4 billion, or $2,558 in federal funds per student.
How much debt does the US have?
The US has $39.8 trillion in debt as of July 2026. The federal government borrows money when its spending and investments cannot be funded by federal revenue alone; this debt enables the government to pay for programs and services when funds aren’t immediately available.
What is this year’s Social Security cost of living increase?
In December 2025, the average monthly Social Security benefit was $1,923, which increased by 2.8% in 2026 after the cost-of-living adjustment.
The number of Black Congresspeople has tripled since the 1980s
There are 66 Black members of the current Congress, equaling 12% of the legislative body.
How much does FEMA spend on disaster response in the US?
FEMA spends around $8.28 billion per year on average, according to the last five full years of data. In 2025, that would have been around 0.12% of the federal budget. This funding goes toward direct aid for individuals, debris removal, repairing public infrastructure, and projects that reduce future disaster risks.
How much money does the US federal government collect?
The federal government collected $5.26 trillion in fiscal year 2025. This is about $15,400 per person in the US, however individual contributions vary based on income, spending, and other factors. Government revenue is the total amount of money received from individual and corporate taxes, and other sources that are used to pay for government spending.
What is a constitutional amendment?
A constitutional amendment alters the Constitution of the United States by striking or inserting new language. The Constitution establishes the structure, powers and responsibilities of the federal government.
What is the 18th Amendment?
The 18th Amendment to the Constitution prohibited the manufacture, sale and transportation of intoxicating liquors in the United States. It was later repealed by the 21st Amendment.
What is the 17th Amendment?
The 17th Amendment to the Constitution establishes the direct election of United States senators by the voters of each state, rather than by state legislatures. It also allows governors to make temporary appointments to fill Senate vacancies until an election is held, if the state legislature permits.
What is the 21st Amendment?
The 21st Amendment to the Constitution repeals the 18th Amendment, ending the nationwide prohibition of alcohol. It also prohibits transporting alcohol into any state where it violates that states laws.
What is the Seventh Amendment?
The Seventh Amendment to the Constitution preserves the right to a jury trial in federal civil cases where the amount in dispute exceeds $20. It also limits courts from re-examining facts decided by a jury except under established legal rules.
What is the Fifth Amendment?
The Fifth Amendment to the Constitution guarantees that no one can be tried for a serious federal crime without a grand jury indictment, tried twice for the same offense, forced to testify against themselves or deprived of life, liberty or property without due process of law. It also requires the government to pay fair compensation when it takes private property for public use.
What is the Second Amendment?
The Second Amendment to the Constitution protects the right of the people to keep and bear arms, naming a well-regulated militia as necessary to the security of a free state.
What is the 16th Amendment?
The 16th Amendment to the Constitution gives Congress the power to collect income taxes without dividing the amount among the states based on population.
What is the 27th Amendment?
The 27th Amendment to the Constitution prevents any law changing the pay of senators and representatives from taking effect until after the next election of the House of Representatives.
What is the 23rd Amendment?
The 23rd Amendment to the Constitution gives residents of the District of Columbia the right to vote in presidential elections by granting the district electors in the Electoral College, but no more than the number given to the least populous state.
What is the 19th Amendment?
The 19th Amendment to the Constitution prohibits the federal government and the states from denying citizens the right to vote based on sex.