Which is the most accurate statement?

A) State and local government spending is almost half the level of federal spending.
B) Defense spending is much higher today than it was in 1990.
C) Most members of Congress have agreed to vote to cut Social Security benefits to bring down the federal budget deficit.
D) Direct benefit payments to individuals now account for 25 percent of all federal government spending.

State and local government spending in the United States is indeed significant, but it is not nearly as high as federal spending. However, it is substantial and can approach nearly half of federal spending, depending on how the data is measured and the specific time period considered. The other options are incorrect based on historical data and trends. Defense spending, while having increased in absolute terms, has not consistently risen as a percentage of GDP since 1990. There is no broad consensus among members of Congress to cut Social Security benefits to reduce the federal deficit, as Social Security remains a politically sensitive topic. Direct benefit payments to individuals, including Social Security, Medicare, and other welfare programs, account for a much larger portion of federal spending than 25 percent.