The administration's inattentiveness toward the industry contributed to the savings and loan crisis and costly bailouts.[233]

Deficits
The deficits were exacerbated by the early 1980s recession, which cut into federal revenue.[234] The national debt tripled between the fiscal years of 1980 and 1989, and the national debt as a percentage of the gross domestic product rose from 33 percent in 1981 to 53 percent by 1989. During his time in office, Reagan never submitted a balanced budget. The United States borrowed heavily in order to cover newly spawned federal budget deficits.[235] Reagan described the tripled debt the "greatest disappointment of his presidency".[236] Jeffrey Frankel opined that the deficits were a major reason why Reagan's successor, Bush, reneged on his campaign promise by raising taxes through the Budget Enforcement Act of 1990.[237]

Civil rights
Reagan during his Radio Address to the Nation on Civil Rights at Camp David, 1985
Despite Reagan having opposed the Voting Rights Act of 1965,[26] the bill was extended for 25 years in 1982.