The Impact of Off-Budget Spending on National Debt

Off-budget spending has significantly contributed to the current debt woes in the United States. From wars to natural disasters, much of the unexpected spending has not been effectively planned or accounted for in the budget process. This includes the $5 trillion spent during the COVID-19 pandemic. The failure to distinguish between normal and emergency spending has led to ballooning national debt. Addressing this issue requires better planning and preparation for expected events like hurricanes, as well as implementing mechanisms like establishing a federal emergency fund and learning from countries like Sweden and Switzerland with more effective controls on expenditures.