February 13, 2009 1:32PM 

# The Cost per Family of the Deficit Spending Bill 

By [Jim Harper](https://www.cato.org/people/jim-harper) 

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[Wash​ing​ton​Watch​.com](http://www.washingtonwatch.com/) has [run the numbers](http://www.washingtonwatch.com/blog/2009/02/13/new-cost-estimate-for-economic-stimulusspending-bill/) on the deficit spending bill formerly known as economic stimulus, which is being debated in the House and Senate today. Here’s the skinny:

> The bill costs the average U.S. family about $3,300, and it raises the national debt by about $7,700 per family.
> 
> 
> Let’s go through that.
> 
> 
> The bill spends about $5,500 per family, or $1,750 per person. 
> It reduces taxes by about $2,200 per family, or $700 per person. 
> Total cost (using our [methodology](http://www.washingtonwatch.com/about/)): $3,300 per family, or $1,050 per person. 
> Added to national debt: $7,700 per family, or $2,450 per person.

##### Related Tags 

[Tax and Budget Policy](https://www.cato.org/tax-budget-policy), [Technology and Privacy](https://www.cato.org/technology-privacy) 

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