Is the government using money collected from tariffs for government programs?
Yes, the U.S. government uses money collected from tariffs to fund its general operations and various federal programs. The revenue generated from tariffs is deposited into the U.S. Treasury's general fund, which serves as the primary account for government spending. This fund is used to pay for a wide range of government bills, including infrastructure, defense, social programs, and other public expenditures. The Treasury Department refers to this fund as "America’s checkbook," highlighting its role in financing the government's ongoing obligations.
Tariff revenue is collected by U.S. Customs and Border Protection and transferred to the U.S. Treasury General Fund.
The money is not earmarked for specific programs but becomes part of the government’s overall revenue, available for any federal spending purpose.
As of October 2025, the Treasury's general fund, which includes tariff revenue, is currently frozen due to a government funding impasse, preventing the use of these funds for payments like employee salaries, despite the revenue being collected.
The general fund is used to cover pre-existing government bills, such as distributing tax refunds, but its use is contingent on Congress passing a funding bill.

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https://www.marketplace.org/story/2025/06/20/where-is-our-tariff-revenue-going
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