The Debt Dispatch

ūüďĘ Join Cato tomorrow, July 21, for A Framework for Lasting Affordability. From 2:30‚Äď3:15 PM ET in-person and online, Cato‚Äôs Ryan Bourne sits down with Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chairs Reps. Brian Fitzpatrick (R‚ÄĎPA) and Tom Suozzi (D‚ÄĎNY) to dig into the caucus‚Äôs bipartisan Affordability Agenda. The Caucus should look for inspiration from Cato‚Äôs Handbook on Affordability to expand economic freedom, remove unnecessary regulatory barriers, and increase competition.

Photo by Suzi Kim on Unsplash Republicans have one remaining reconciliation bill before the midterms. They should use it to prove they’re serious about reining in excess federal spending and fixing the debt, rather than embracing a “go small and go home to campaign” approach (as coined by the Wall Street Journal Editorial Board).

Here are this week’s reading links and benefits breakdowns: Cato Scholars Highlight Proposed OMB Rule to Improve Federal Payment Screening. The Office of Management and Budget proposed a rule that would expand the use of the Treasury’s Do Not Pay (DNP) system. As the Debt Dispatch has previously covered, DNP is a data-matching tool that cross-checks applicant eligibility against federal databases before funds are disbursed.

Photo by Tim Mossholder on Unsplash Congress is weighing Reconciliation 3.0, a fast-track mechanism to enact spending and tax legislation with only a simple majority. House Budget Committee Chair Jodey Arrington(R-TX) said it would center on defense spending, cutting fraud, and making housing and healthcare more affordable. Congress should offset any new spending in reconciliation and focus on reducing the deficit on a path toward a 3 percent target.

Photo by Igor Omilaev on Unsplash A government stake in AI companies is a bad idea.

Last month, the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) released its Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP, formerly known as Food Stamps) payment error rate report for fiscal year 2025. The report confirms what has long been true: SNAP is structurally prone to waste, fraud, and abuse, and the states running it have too little financial incentive to fix it.

As America marks the 250th anniversary of the Declaration of Independence, I've been reflecting on what this great country means to me. I've found myself returning to one of the most meaningful days of my life: becoming an American citizen.

Here are this week’s reading links and benefits breakdowns: The Largest Medicaid Fraud Takedown in DOJ History.

Here are this week’s reading links and fiscal facts: • A 2022 expansion sent Medicare drug costs soaring. Mark J.

This article first appeared at The Daily Economy, an imprint of the American Institute for Economic Research, on June 19, 2026. Read it here. The Social Security Trustees’ annual report delivered another warning last week: the program’s finances have deteriorated further, insolvency is approaching sooner, and demographic changes are mostly to blame. That’s only part of the story. Social Security contains two automatic benefit expansions.