Fortune on MSN: The US government is spending $88 billion a month in interest on national debt—equal to spending on defense and education combined The US government is spending $88 billion a month in interest on national debt—equal to spending on defense and education combined Forbes: As U.S. Debt Passes $39 Trillion, Americans Are Paying $900 Billion In Interest Annually As U.S. Debt Passes $39 Trillion, Americans Are Paying $900 Billion In Interest Annually