Part 5/10:
The United States is currently facing an economic slow-down that could lead to increased budget pressures. In a sluggish economy, more people qualify for governmental benefits, leading to higher expenditures, while tax receipts tend to decline. Although there might be a potential silver lining in that this slowdown could motivate the Federal Reserve to lower interest rates—including lower debt servicing costs—the benefits are limited and cannot offset the broader fiscal crisis.