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PBS NewsHour

Explaining the national debt and how we got here

Season 2025 Episode 156 | 8m 03s

Republicans in Congress are hashing out a new tax cut and spending bill that's projected to add trillions to the national debt. Economics correspondent Paul Solman explains the ballooning national debt, how we got here and what it means for our economy and future generations.

Major corporate funding for the PBS NewsHour is provided by Care.com, Consumer Cellular, and Fidelity. Funding for the PBS NewsHour Weekend is provided by Mutual of America. For a complete list of funders for the PBS NewsHour and PBS NewsHour weekend, click here.
Extras
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PBS NewsHour
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Clip: S2025 E279 | 9:21
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PBS NewsHour
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What Paramount's shake-up of CBS News leadership means for the media landscape
Clip: S2025 E279 | 6:57
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PBS NewsHour
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Clip: S2025 E279 | 6:49
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PBS NewsHour
Colorado conversion therapy ban heads to Supreme Court
A look at Colorado’s conversion therapy ban as it faces a Supreme Court challenge
Clip: S2025 E279 | 9:19
Watch • 7:19
PBS NewsHour
Tamara Keith and Amy Walter on shutdown's political impact
Tamara Keith and Amy Walter on the political impact of the government shutdown
Clip: S2025 E279 | 7:19
Watch • 3:16
PBS NewsHour
Hamas and Israel begin indirect talks to end war in Gaza
Hamas and Israel begin indirect talks to end devastating war in Gaza
Clip: S2025 E279 | 3:16
Watch • 8:43
PBS NewsHour
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More Israeli reservists are refusing military deployment to Gaza
Clip: S2025 E279 | 8:43
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PBS NewsHour
October 6, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
October 6, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
Episode: S2025 E279 | 56:45
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PBS NewsHour
October 5, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode
October 5, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode
Episode: S2025 E278 | 26:45
All
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Watch • 56:45
PBS NewsHour
October 6, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
October 6, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
Episode: S2025 E279 | 56:45
Watch • 26:45
PBS NewsHour
October 5, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode
October 5, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode
Episode: S2025 E278 | 26:45
Watch • 26:45
PBS NewsHour
October 4, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode
October 4, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode
Episode: S2025 E277 | 26:45
Watch • 57:46
PBS NewsHour
October 3, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
October 3, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
Episode: S2025 E276 | 57:46
Watch • 57:46
PBS NewsHour
October 2, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
October 2, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
Episode: S2025 E275 | 57:46
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PBS NewsHour
October 1, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
October 1, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
Episode: S2025 E274 | 57:46
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PBS NewsHour
September 30, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
September 30, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
Episode: S2025 E273 | 57:46
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PBS NewsHour
September 29, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
September 29, 2025 - PBS News Hour full episode
Episode: S2025 E272 | 57:46
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PBS NewsHour
September 28, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode
September 28, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode
Episode: S2025 E271 | 26:45
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PBS NewsHour
September 27, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode
September 27, 2025 - PBS News Weekend full episode
Episode: S2025 E270 | 26:45