Tax Policy Center

Fiscal Facts

June 13, 2022
The federal government spent $742 billion on national defense, or about 11% of total federal expenditures in FY 2021, compared to over 40% in the 1960s. Over time, more spending has been towards Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
Fact: 
The federal government spent $742 billion on national defense, or about 11% of total federal expenditures in FY 2021, compared to over 40% in the 1960s. Over time, more spending has been towards Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid.
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