US debt surpasses $33 trillion as Republicans demand budget cuts

The U.S. national debt hit more than $33 trillion, as congressional Republicans demand budget cuts and slam Democrats for spending.

The debt was more than $33.04 trillion on Friday, Treasury Department data shows. The debt has only increased since then, sitting at more than a quarter of a million dollars per taxpayer, according to the debt tracker USDebtClock.org.

Many Republicans took to X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, to voice their outrage about the debt, as conservative and moderate members of the party struck a temporary deal over the weekend to avoid a government shutdown over funding.

The historic debt is a major topic as Congress discusses the 2024 fiscal year budget, which runs from October 2023 through September 2024.

"$33 trillion in debt, a $2 trillion deficit – and Democrats are demanding blank checks for more spending. Our economy is on the brink of collapse! It's time to take a stand for fiscal responsibility. Slash government spending NOW!" Rep. Lauren Boebert, R-Colo., wrote.

"Joe Biden's legacy is one of historic failures. We must reverse course and think about the impacts this president's reckless spending will have on future generations," Sen. Roger Marshall, R-Kan., said.

"For the first time in history, U.S. national debt has eclipsed $33 TRILLION dollars. Congress has failed. Both parties. It’s time to cut up the credit cards and make some tough decisions," Rep. Eli Crane, R-Ariz., wrote.

Other GOP lawmakers who expressed frustration online include South Carolina Rep. Ralph Norman, North Carolina Rep. Dan Bishop, Texas Rep. Michael Cloud, Wyoming Sen. Cynthia Lummis and Utah Sen. Mike Lee.

Members of Congress are not the only ones commenting on the matter as Republicans look to take over the White House in 2024.

Jeremy Redfern, press secretary to GOP presidential candidate Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis, wrote on X: "The national debt increased roughly 33% during Trump’s presidency. Nearly $7 trillion in 4 years. Republicans voted for nearly all of it. Meanwhile, since 
@GovRonDeSantis took office in 2019, Florida’s paid off a quarter of the state’s debt."

Follow Madeleine Hubbard on X or Instagram.