U.S. federal debt officially topped $40 trillion on Wednesday, and lawmakers from both parties criticized Washington’s fiscal management. According to Sina Finance, Republicans and Democrats then traded blame and expressed frustration that Congress has been unable to address the worsening problem.

Florida Republican Senator Rick Scott said on social media on Thursday that Congress must control spending and balance the budget. Kentucky Republican Senator Rand Paul said politicians had failed to balance the federal budget and accused Washington of spending without restraint.

Members of the House Freedom Caucus called for tougher action against waste, fraud, and abuse in federal spending. South Carolina Republican Representative Ralph Norman said the debt milestone should alarm every American and argued that Congress must make difficult choices to control spending and fix the nation’s finances.

Utah Republican Senator John Curtis called the debt problem immoral and urged legislation such as the Fiscal Commission Act to create a federal commission on fiscal responsibility and reform. Democrats criticized the Republican-backed One Big Beautiful Bill Act passed in Congress last year, saying it would worsen the deficit.

U.S. Vice President JD Vance said on Thursday evening that Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent had laid out a very prudent plan to reduce the national debt. Bessent said the U.S. could work its way out of the debt burden through economic growth.