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What's a good student loan rate for fall 2025?

What's a good student loan rate for fall 2025?

CBS News2 days ago

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There are student loans with rates that won't break the bank — but you'll have to do your homework to find them.College students heading into the fall 2025 semester have more than dorm room checklists and course schedules on their minds. They're also navigating today's tricky borrowing environment. While inflation has cooled substantially over the past year, interest rates remain high across the board, which can make it tough to find affordable borrowing options.
And, the cost of higher education has continued to climb, which means that paying for school often requires taking out substantial amounts of money. So, borrowing for school is a significant financial decision right now. And, if you plan to borrow enough to cover all of your fall 2025 college expenses, you could end up with hefty interest charges if you aren't careful.
That's why locking in a good student loan rate this fall is more important than ever. But what exactly is a "good" rate in 2025? With federal and private loan options on the table — and a wide range of rates — it's not always obvious. Below, we'll detail what you need to know to spot a solid rate and avoid overpaying for your education.
Start comparing your private student loan options online now.
What's a good student loan rate for fall 2025?
Federal student loan rates declined slightly for the 2025-26 school year — the first time rates have fallen in five years. For federal undergraduate loans, student loans disbursed between July 1, 2025, and June 30, 2026, the interest rate will be 6.39% — down from 6.53% for the 2024-25 school year. Graduate student loans will have a 7.94% interest rate, and Parent PLUS loans will have an 8.94% interest rate.
The general rule is that a good student loan rate is the lowest rate you can qualify for based on your financial situation, but is ideally below the national average. So, with fixed federal rates now at 6.39% for undergrads, anything significantly below that from a private lender could be considered competitive.
And, it's possible to find substantially lower rates on private student loans right now. For example, there are lenders offering fixed private student loan rates starting at 3.29% and variable rates starting at 4.39% for the fall 2025 semester. Here's a breakdown of the current private student loan ranges from some of the top lenders:
Private fixed-rate student loans : 3.29% – 17.99%
: 3.29% – 17.99% Private variable-rate student loans: 4.39% – 15.99%
For most borrowers, the lower end of those private student loan rate ranges is only accessible with a strong credit score and a low debt-to-income ratio, or with the help of a creditworthy co-signer. If you can land a fixed rate under 6%, that's good in today's environment.
If your best offer is higher than 7%, though, and you qualify for federal aid, sticking with federal loans might be the safer route. After all, federal loans offer unique borrower protections like income-driven repayment plans and potential forgiveness options — and your rate will be lower on that type of loan, too.
Find the student loans you need for the fall 2025 semester today.
How to find the best student loan rates this fall
If you're hunting for the lowest possible rate this fall, the key is to be prepared, know what the lowest rates are in today's rate landscape and then shop around and compare your options. Here's how to do that:
Start with federal aid. Always fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) first to find out what, if any, federal loans or grants you qualify for. Federal loans come with built-in benefits that private loans don't offer, like fixed rates, no credit checks for undergrads, deferment options and forgiveness programs
Always fill out the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) first to find out what, if any, federal loans or grants you qualify for. Federal loans come with built-in benefits that private loans don't offer, like fixed rates, no credit checks for undergrads, deferment options and Compare private lenders. If you've maxed out your federal aid or are looking for additional funds, you'll need to turn to private lenders
If you've maxed out your federal aid or are looking for additional funds, you'll need to Look for discounts. Some private lenders offer rate discounts if you sign up for autopay or if you're a returning customer. Even a 0.25% reduction can make a meaningful difference over time, so make sure to inquire about those opportunities to save.
Some private lenders offer rate discounts if you sign up for autopay or if you're a returning customer. Even a 0.25% reduction can make a meaningful difference over time, so make sure to inquire about those opportunities to save. Apply with a co-signer if needed. Most undergrads don't have long credit histories, and that's where a co-signer (like a parent or guardian) can help. Co-signed loans often qualify for better rates, especially if the co-signer has strong credit.
Most undergrads don't have long credit histories, and that's where a co-signer (like a parent or guardian) can help. Co-signed loans often qualify for better rates, especially if the co-signer has strong credit. Understand the fine print. The rate and loan terms also matter. For example, variable-rate loans may start lower but they can increase over time, which could become costly if rates rise further. Fixed-rate loans offer more predictability and are generally safer unless you're confident you'll repay quickly. So, if you're worried about increasing loan costs down the line, it could make sense to choose a fixed loan with a slightly higher rate rather than opting for a variable rate that could increase in time.
The bottom line
When it comes to covering the cost of college this fall, borrowers should be especially strategic about finding the best rate possible to keep the costs down. A good student loan rate in 2025 is anything under the federal benchmark — but is ideally closer to the 4% to 5% range, which may be possible to find with the right lender. But it's also important to remember that the "best" rate isn't just about the number. It's also about flexibility, protections and your long-term repayment goals.

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Trump tariffs live updates: Trump says he will set unilateral tariff rates within weeks
Trump tariffs live updates: Trump says he will set unilateral tariff rates within weeks

Yahoo

time15 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Trump tariffs live updates: Trump says he will set unilateral tariff rates within weeks

President Donald Trump told reporters on Wednesday that he would send letters to trading partners in the next week or two setting unilateral tariff rates. 'At a certain point, we're just going to send letters out. And I think you understand that, saying this is the deal, you can take it or leave it,' the president said at the Kennedy Center in Washington. Soon after introducing steep new tariffs that roiled markets, Trump instituted a pause on his most punishing duties that expires July 9. His latest comment, however, only muddies the waters about what could happen next as the deadline approaches. Earlier on Wednesday, Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told Congress that it is "highly likely" that the tariff pause would be extended for countries that are negotiating with the administration "in good faith." "There are 18 important trading partners — we are working toward deals on those — and it is highly likely that those countries that are ... negotiating in good faith, we will roll the date forward," Bessent said during testimony before the House Ways and Means Committee. On Tuesday, the US and China agreed to a framework and implementation plan to ease tariff and trade tensions. Trump signaled his approval, saying the deal was "done" pending sign-off from him and Chinese President Xi Jinping. Trump and other US officials indicated the deal should resolve issues between the two countries on rare earths and magnets, though reports later indicated China would only loosen restrictions on rare earth mineral exports for a six-month period. Trump also said the US will allow Chinese students in US colleges, a sticking point that had emerged in the weeks following the countries' mid-May deal in Geneva. Trump said the US would impose a total of 55% tariffs on Chinese goods. Yahoo Finance's Ben Werschkul reports, citing a White House official, that Trump arrived at that figure by adding together an array of preexisting duties and not any new tariffs. Meanwhile, though Trump's most sweeping tariffs continue to face legal uncertainty, on Tuesday, the president received a favorable update. A federal appeals court held a decision saying his tariffs can temporarily stay in effect. The US Court of International Trade had blocked their implementation last month, deeming the method used to enact them "unlawful." Read more: What Trump's tariffs mean for the economy and your wallet Here are the latest updates as the policy reverberates around the world. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told House lawmakers on Wednesday that the Trump administration may extend the 90-day tariff pause on some countries in order to continue trade negotiations. When asked if Americans should prepare for another "Liberation Day" on July 9, when the tariff pause ends for most countries, Bessent said that the administration may choose to move the deadline on 18 of the most important trading partners, so long as they make an effort to come to the negotiating table. "We are working toward deals on those, and it is highly likely that [for] those countries — or trading blocs, in the case of the EU — who are negotiating in good faith, we will roll the day forward to continue good faith negotiations," Bessent said (see video below). "If someone is not negotiating, then we will not." A recent report on the drastic decline of US ocean imports serves as an example of how President Trump's increased tariffs on China affected supply chains and several industries as ttalks continue. Reuters reports: Read more here. The Treasury Department says that the US government is successfully using tariffs to decrease the budget deficit by more than $30 billion, largely due to increased customs receipts. Reuters reports: Read more here. China will ease curbs on exports of rare earth minerals for six months as part of a new trade understanding with the US, according to The Wall Street Journal. The move could add more uncertainty for American manufacturers, particularly the auto industry, which has been pushing for easier access. The Journal notes that the move gives China leverage down the line if tensions ratchet back up. From the report: In celebrating the agreement early Wednesday, President Trump noted "any necessary rare earths will be supplied, up front, by China." He did not mention any time limit on loosening those restrictions. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, in testimony before Congress on Wednesday, painted Wednesday's agreement as an incremental step on the longer road to a more comprehensive trade deal. "A trade deal today or last night was for a specific goal, and it will be a much longer process," he told a House committee. When asked if current US tariff levels on Chinese imports would not change again, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told CNBC, "You can definitely say that." "We're in a great place with China," Lutnick said Wednesday. While the US-China truce framework is awaiting final word from US President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Lutnick added, "Both sides are really positive." The agreement is largely viewed as reestablishing the "handshake" that US and Chinese officials reached in Geneva last month, as details on a larger trade pact remain scant. Trump posted on social media this morning that the US has imposed 55% tariffs on China, a number that does not include any new tariffs but instead comprises some preexisting tariffs, Trump's fentanyl tariffs, and 10% "Liberation Day" tariffs. Lutnick touted that, as a result of the two-day talks, the US will gain access to rare earths and magnets, while the Chinese delegation sought to remove the US's export controls. He added that the trade deficit remains an ongoing issue, stating, "We're going to examine how China can do more business with us." May's Consumer Price Index (CPI) report showed inflation pressures eased on a monthly basis despite investor concerns that President Trump's tariffs would accelerate the pace of price increases. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.1% on a monthly basis in May and 2.4% on an annual basis, a slight uptick from April's 2.3% gain. Yahoo Finance's Allie Canal reports: Read more here. I would keep an eye on consumer names off the news of a trade deal with China floated by President Trump this morning (see our prior post below). Seeing upticks premarket in heavily China-exposed retailers such as Nike (NKE), Walmart (WMT), Target (TGT), and Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF). The premarket gains here aren't mind-blowing in part because tariffs appear to still be in place. Trump posted on Truth Social: OUR DEAL WITH CHINA IS DONE, SUBJECT TO FINAL APPROVAL WITH PRESIDENT XI AND ME. FULL MAGNETS, AND ANY NECESSARY RARE EARTHS, WILL BE SUPPLIED, UP FRONT, BY CHINA. LIKEWISE, WE WILL PROVIDE TO CHINA WHAT WAS AGREED TO, INCLUDING CHINESE STUDENTS USING OUR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (WHICH HAS ALWAYS BEEN GOOD WITH ME!). WE ARE GETTING A TOTAL OF 55% TARIFFS, CHINA IS GETTING 10%. RELATIONSHIP IS EXCELLENT! THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER!" A variety of market observers quickly weighed in hours after Tuesday evening's unveiling to suggest that the deal may not have a lot of meat on the bones — but at least relations are no longer moving in the wrong direction. The talks perhaps underscored how unlikely a comprehensive trade deal is anytime soon, noted AGF Investments Greg Valliere, "but at least relations may not worsen as talks continue throughout the summer." Both sides promised additional talks in the weeks or months ahead, but none have yet been scheduled. Veronique de Rugy, a professor at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, suggested the talks continued to show China's leverage. "China is hurting, yes—but they still hold the upper hand on critical resources, and they know how to use them." Any lessening of tensions — and freer flow — of these mineral resources in China would be a significant boost to the global economy with China holding outsized leverage in both the reserves and processing capacity of these key building blocks for everything from computers to electric vehicle batteries to medical devices. Likewise, the US offering concessions on export controls would be a significant move after years where successive US administrations have wielded these controls — especially around the design and manufacture of semiconductors — by saying they need to be tight on China for national security reasons. Read more here. May's Consumer Price Index (CPI) report will be released on Wednesday and its expected to show that prices rose a bit faster than in April. Yahoo Finance's Allie Canal breaks down what to look out for and how President Trump's tariffs are impacting what consumers are now paying for goods and services. Read more here. Now that the US-China trade truce is back on track, both sides are keen to ensure it stays that way. China's Vice Premier He Lifeng said both sides need to now 'show the spirit of good faith in abiding by their commitments and jointly safeguard the hard-won results of the dialogue.' Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Reuters reports: Read more here. Despite the US-China trade truce resuming the pain from President Trump's tariffs remains in China, especially among small exporters. Reuters reports: Read more here. Japan warned Wednesday that tariffs threaten its economic growth, the government said in a monthly report. Reuters reports: Read more here. Reuters reports: Read more here. Reuters reports: Read more here. A federal appeals could said on Tuesday that President Trump's sweeping tariffs can continue for now. This is a significant win for Trump, who introduced tariffs back in March and declared "Liberation Day," as he saw them as a way to free the US from what he called unfair trade practices. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Early summer sales for Inditex, the owner of fashion retailer Zara, came in weaker, as the company missed expectations for first quarter sales on Wednesday. President Trump's tariffs have impacted consumer demand in the US and other major markets. Reuters reports: Read more here. After weeks of back and forth, the US and China have agreed on a framework to implement the Geneva consensus that helped ease tariffs. The breakthrough came after two days of talks in London, including a marathon session on Tuesday. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said both sides had to "get the negativity out" before making progress. 'Now we can go forward to try to do positive trade, growing trade,' he said. As part of the deal, Beijing has promised to speed up shipments of rare earth metals, a crucial component for global auto and defense industries. Washington will ease export controls. This marks the first sign of movement on key issues. The proposal will now be presented to President Trump and China's Xi. Still, the discussions also did little to resolve a long-standing issue: China's trade surplus with the US. 'Markets will likely welcome the shift from confrontation to coordination,' said Charu Chanana, chief investment strategist at Saxo Markets. 'We're not out of the woods yet — it's up to Trump and Xi to approve and enforce the deal.' The meeting was set up after a phone call between the two leaders, following weeks of each side accusing the other of breaking the Geneva commitments. Both countries had used chips, rare earths, student visas and ethane as bargaining tools. Josef Gregory Mahoney, a professor at East China Normal University, said trust, not money, has been the biggest casualty of the trade war. 'We've heard a lot about frameworks,' he said. 'But the fundamental issue remains: Chips versus rare earths. Everything else is a peacock dance.' Bloomberg reports: Read more here. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent told House lawmakers on Wednesday that the Trump administration may extend the 90-day tariff pause on some countries in order to continue trade negotiations. When asked if Americans should prepare for another "Liberation Day" on July 9, when the tariff pause ends for most countries, Bessent said that the administration may choose to move the deadline on 18 of the most important trading partners, so long as they make an effort to come to the negotiating table. "We are working toward deals on those, and it is highly likely that [for] those countries — or trading blocs, in the case of the EU — who are negotiating in good faith, we will roll the day forward to continue good faith negotiations," Bessent said (see video below). "If someone is not negotiating, then we will not." A recent report on the drastic decline of US ocean imports serves as an example of how President Trump's increased tariffs on China affected supply chains and several industries as ttalks continue. Reuters reports: Read more here. The Treasury Department says that the US government is successfully using tariffs to decrease the budget deficit by more than $30 billion, largely due to increased customs receipts. Reuters reports: Read more here. China will ease curbs on exports of rare earth minerals for six months as part of a new trade understanding with the US, according to The Wall Street Journal. The move could add more uncertainty for American manufacturers, particularly the auto industry, which has been pushing for easier access. The Journal notes that the move gives China leverage down the line if tensions ratchet back up. From the report: In celebrating the agreement early Wednesday, President Trump noted "any necessary rare earths will be supplied, up front, by China." He did not mention any time limit on loosening those restrictions. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent, in testimony before Congress on Wednesday, painted Wednesday's agreement as an incremental step on the longer road to a more comprehensive trade deal. "A trade deal today or last night was for a specific goal, and it will be a much longer process," he told a House committee. When asked if current US tariff levels on Chinese imports would not change again, Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick told CNBC, "You can definitely say that." "We're in a great place with China," Lutnick said Wednesday. While the US-China truce framework is awaiting final word from US President Trump and Chinese President Xi Jinping, Lutnick added, "Both sides are really positive." The agreement is largely viewed as reestablishing the "handshake" that US and Chinese officials reached in Geneva last month, as details on a larger trade pact remain scant. Trump posted on social media this morning that the US has imposed 55% tariffs on China, a number that does not include any new tariffs but instead comprises some preexisting tariffs, Trump's fentanyl tariffs, and 10% "Liberation Day" tariffs. Lutnick touted that, as a result of the two-day talks, the US will gain access to rare earths and magnets, while the Chinese delegation sought to remove the US's export controls. He added that the trade deficit remains an ongoing issue, stating, "We're going to examine how China can do more business with us." May's Consumer Price Index (CPI) report showed inflation pressures eased on a monthly basis despite investor concerns that President Trump's tariffs would accelerate the pace of price increases. The Consumer Price Index (CPI) increased 0.1% on a monthly basis in May and 2.4% on an annual basis, a slight uptick from April's 2.3% gain. Yahoo Finance's Allie Canal reports: Read more here. I would keep an eye on consumer names off the news of a trade deal with China floated by President Trump this morning (see our prior post below). Seeing upticks premarket in heavily China-exposed retailers such as Nike (NKE), Walmart (WMT), Target (TGT), and Abercrombie & Fitch (ANF). The premarket gains here aren't mind-blowing in part because tariffs appear to still be in place. Trump posted on Truth Social: OUR DEAL WITH CHINA IS DONE, SUBJECT TO FINAL APPROVAL WITH PRESIDENT XI AND ME. FULL MAGNETS, AND ANY NECESSARY RARE EARTHS, WILL BE SUPPLIED, UP FRONT, BY CHINA. LIKEWISE, WE WILL PROVIDE TO CHINA WHAT WAS AGREED TO, INCLUDING CHINESE STUDENTS USING OUR COLLEGES AND UNIVERSITIES (WHICH HAS ALWAYS BEEN GOOD WITH ME!). WE ARE GETTING A TOTAL OF 55% TARIFFS, CHINA IS GETTING 10%. RELATIONSHIP IS EXCELLENT! THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER!" A variety of market observers quickly weighed in hours after Tuesday evening's unveiling to suggest that the deal may not have a lot of meat on the bones — but at least relations are no longer moving in the wrong direction. The talks perhaps underscored how unlikely a comprehensive trade deal is anytime soon, noted AGF Investments Greg Valliere, "but at least relations may not worsen as talks continue throughout the summer." Both sides promised additional talks in the weeks or months ahead, but none have yet been scheduled. Veronique de Rugy, a professor at the Mercatus Center at George Mason University, suggested the talks continued to show China's leverage. "China is hurting, yes—but they still hold the upper hand on critical resources, and they know how to use them." Any lessening of tensions — and freer flow — of these mineral resources in China would be a significant boost to the global economy with China holding outsized leverage in both the reserves and processing capacity of these key building blocks for everything from computers to electric vehicle batteries to medical devices. Likewise, the US offering concessions on export controls would be a significant move after years where successive US administrations have wielded these controls — especially around the design and manufacture of semiconductors — by saying they need to be tight on China for national security reasons. Read more here. May's Consumer Price Index (CPI) report will be released on Wednesday and its expected to show that prices rose a bit faster than in April. Yahoo Finance's Allie Canal breaks down what to look out for and how President Trump's tariffs are impacting what consumers are now paying for goods and services. Read more here. Now that the US-China trade truce is back on track, both sides are keen to ensure it stays that way. China's Vice Premier He Lifeng said both sides need to now 'show the spirit of good faith in abiding by their commitments and jointly safeguard the hard-won results of the dialogue.' Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Reuters reports: Read more here. Despite the US-China trade truce resuming the pain from President Trump's tariffs remains in China, especially among small exporters. Reuters reports: Read more here. Japan warned Wednesday that tariffs threaten its economic growth, the government said in a monthly report. Reuters reports: Read more here. Reuters reports: Read more here. Reuters reports: Read more here. A federal appeals could said on Tuesday that President Trump's sweeping tariffs can continue for now. This is a significant win for Trump, who introduced tariffs back in March and declared "Liberation Day," as he saw them as a way to free the US from what he called unfair trade practices. Bloomberg News reports: Read more here. Early summer sales for Inditex, the owner of fashion retailer Zara, came in weaker, as the company missed expectations for first quarter sales on Wednesday. President Trump's tariffs have impacted consumer demand in the US and other major markets. Reuters reports: Read more here. After weeks of back and forth, the US and China have agreed on a framework to implement the Geneva consensus that helped ease tariffs. The breakthrough came after two days of talks in London, including a marathon session on Tuesday. US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick said both sides had to "get the negativity out" before making progress. 'Now we can go forward to try to do positive trade, growing trade,' he said. As part of the deal, Beijing has promised to speed up shipments of rare earth metals, a crucial component for global auto and defense industries. Washington will ease export controls. This marks the first sign of movement on key issues. The proposal will now be presented to President Trump and China's Xi. Still, the discussions also did little to resolve a long-standing issue: China's trade surplus with the US. 'Markets will likely welcome the shift from confrontation to coordination,' said Charu Chanana, chief investment strategist at Saxo Markets. 'We're not out of the woods yet — it's up to Trump and Xi to approve and enforce the deal.' The meeting was set up after a phone call between the two leaders, following weeks of each side accusing the other of breaking the Geneva commitments. Both countries had used chips, rare earths, student visas and ethane as bargaining tools. Josef Gregory Mahoney, a professor at East China Normal University, said trust, not money, has been the biggest casualty of the trade war. 'We've heard a lot about frameworks,' he said. 'But the fundamental issue remains: Chips versus rare earths. Everything else is a peacock dance.' Bloomberg reports: Read more here. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data

Skanska signs contract amendment for airport expansion in Redmond, Oregon, USA for USD 98M, about SEK 1.0 billion
Skanska signs contract amendment for airport expansion in Redmond, Oregon, USA for USD 98M, about SEK 1.0 billion

Yahoo

time18 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Skanska signs contract amendment for airport expansion in Redmond, Oregon, USA for USD 98M, about SEK 1.0 billion

STOCKHOLM, June 12, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Skanska has signed a contract amendment with the City of Redmond for the Redmond Municipal Airport Expansion Project in Redmond, Oregon, USA. The contract amendment is worth USD 98M, about SEK 1.0 billion, which will be included in the US order bookings for the second quarter of 2025. The project includes over 7,400 square meters (80,000-SF) of concourse expansion and a terminal renovation. The project includes new gates with jet bridges, new retail, and concessions. The expansion includes mass timber roof structure features and will accommodate capacity demands, improve ADA accessibility, increase energy efficiency, and enhance the passenger experience. Work will begin in June 2025 and is expected to be completed in January 2028. For further information please contact:Daniela Arellano, Communications Director, Skanska USA, tel +1 -213-317-4977Andreas Joons, Press Officer, Skanska Group, tel +46 (0)10 449 04 94Direct line for media, tel +46 (0)10 448 88 99 This and previous releases can also be found at This information was brought to you by Cision The following files are available for download: 20250612 US Redmond Airport ENG Image 1 - Redmont Airport - image cred RS&H Image 2 - Redmont Airport - image cred RS&H View original content: SOURCE Skanska

Elon Musk Just Backed Warren Buffett's 3-Word Fix for the Deficit. Would It Work?
Elon Musk Just Backed Warren Buffett's 3-Word Fix for the Deficit. Would It Work?

Yahoo

time19 minutes ago

  • Yahoo

Elon Musk Just Backed Warren Buffett's 3-Word Fix for the Deficit. Would It Work?

The U.S. deficit topped $1.8 trillion in 2024, but a bold idea from Warren Buffett is making the rounds again, and this time, Elon Musk is getting behind it. In a 2011 CNBC interview, Buffett said he could end the deficit "in five minutes" by passing a law that disqualifies all sitting members of Congress from re-election if the deficit exceeds 3% of GDP. That clip recently resurfaced on social media, reigniting debate over government accountability—and catching the attention of Musk. He responded to Lee: "100%. This is the way." Moneywise reported that the proposal got a push from Utah Senator Mike Lee, who's now drafting a constitutional amendment inspired by Buffett's logic. Lee's version adds another twist: members of Congress would be ousted whenever inflation climbs above 3%. Buffett's plan might sound extreme, but based on recent numbers, it would be career-ending for nearly every lawmaker on Capitol Hill. The 2024 deficit hit 6.3% of GDP, which is double the threshold. Of course, critics were quick to point out the obvious flaw in the setup. Congress would need to vote to fire itself, making the law politically toxic. Even so, the idea is tapping into deep frustration with government spending. Nobel Prize-winning economist Milton Friedman once said, "Only Washington can create money," and warned that unchecked spending leads to inflation. Musk's endorsement, paired with Lee's amendment effort, has amplified the conversation online. Some supporters argue that even if the proposal never passes, it forces lawmakers to confront the consequences of fiscal irresponsibility. Others see it as more political theater than policy. While the odds of Congress passing a law that threatens its own job security are slim to none, the Buffett-Musk-Lee alignment has given the concept a second wind. For now, the public can only vote the traditional way. But the viral resurgence of this three-word fix—'fire the incumbents'—shows Americans are still searching for accountability where it matters Musk Just Backed Warren Buffett's 3-Word Fix for the Deficit. Would It Work? first appeared on Men's Journal on Jun 12, 2025

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