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Treasury Raises Bond Buybacks to $4 Billion

8/22/2026

37 4 Full Breakdown

Summary

Story summary

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a bond-buyback program, raising September-November buybacks to $4 billion.
30-year Treasury yields rose to about 5.27% on Friday despite the buyback announcement.
U.S. national debt reached $40.05 trillion on 18 August, surpassing the $40 trillion milestone.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects debt to climb to about $64 trillion by 2036 and debt-to-GDP to 175% in 30 years.

History

Historical Context

In 2008-11 the U.S. debt rose from about 40% to roughly 70% of GDP, prompting a 2011 debt-ceiling showdown. Republicans demanded spending cuts, leading to the Budget Control Act of July 31 2011 and the first S&P downgrade after the ceiling was hit on May 16 2011. In 2024 Treasury official Scott Bessent launched a $4 billion bond-buyback to lower yields as debt continues to climb.

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Story summary

U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent announced a bond-buyback program, raising September-November buybacks to $4 billion.
30-year Treasury yields rose to about 5.27% on Friday despite the buyback announcement.
U.S. national debt reached $40.05 trillion on 18 August, surpassing the $40 trillion milestone.
The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects debt to climb to about $64 trillion by 2036 and debt-to-GDP to 175% in 30 years.

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