Economist Stephen Moore said Americans now pay more in taxes than they spend on food, clothing and housing combined, arguing the growing tax burden shows government has become “so big and bloated.”
In a post shared on X on Wednesday, Moore cited a chart from the Committee to Unleash Prosperity estimating Americans paid about $8.19 trillion in taxes in 2025, compared with roughly $7.39 trillion spent on food, clothing and housing combined. “Government has become so big and bloated that taxes cost more than life’s basic necessities,” Moore wrote. “Every American taxpayer should be outraged.”
Moore’s comments come as many Americans say they already feel overburdened by taxes. A Pew Research Center survey published in April found that 60% of U.S. adults believe they pay more in federal taxes than is fair, up from 56% in 2023. The survey also found frustration remains high over wealthy individuals and corporations avoiding taxes.
Affordability Remains a Major Concern
Beyond concerns over taxes, many Americans continue to struggle with the rising cost of living. A report published Wednesday by the McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation described affordability as the “defining challenge” for economic mobility. The survey of 30,000 Americans found that 90% of respondents identified groceries and food prices as their biggest cost concern, ahead of housing and healthcare.
John-Paul Julien, a partner at McKinsey & Co. and co-founder of the McKinsey Institute for Economic Mobility, said people across income levels share a common concern that rising living costs are making it harder to get ahead.
A separate Urban Institute analysis also found many households continue to rely on debt to cover everyday food expenses. More than one-quarter of working-age adults who used credit cards to buy groceries either could not pay their balance in full or missed minimum payments, while about one in 10 relied on buy now, pay later loans for grocery purchases. Grocery prices have climbed 32% over the past five years, adding to financial pressure on households.
Lawmakers Weigh Grocery Relief
The affordability debate comes as lawmakers consider proposals aimed at easing grocery costs. Rep. Pramila Jayapal (D-Wash.) has introduced the Fresh Bucks for Fresh Produce Act, which would create a pilot program allowing participating states to provide eligible households with an additional $60 per month to purchase fruits and vegetables.
The proposal follows broader concerns about food affordability. A Washington Post-Ipsos poll found that 66% of Americans said groceries had become unaffordable, including many households earning more than $100,000 annually, while shoppers have increasingly sought lower-cost grocery options as household budgets remain under pressure.
Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by a Benzinga editor.
Image via Shutterstock
Recent Comments