The most accurate reason why contractionary fiscal policy is often not used by the federal government would be:
Individual and corporate tax rates increase while spending for social programs decreases, both of which would lead the economy to slow down or contract.
This response highlights the negative impact of contractionary measures on economic growth, which is a key reason why governments may hesitate to implement such policies, especially during periods of economic uncertainty or recession. Contractionary fiscal policy can lead to reduced consumer spending and lower overall economic activity, which policymakers typically want to avoid.