During testimony before Congress on Wednesday, Federal Reserve Chair Janet Yellen emphasized the need for lawmakers to consider the rising national debt — and its unsustainable trajectory — when considering policy choices.
In response to a question about the financial risks posed by the national debt from Congressman Steve Pearce (R-NM), Yellen said:
"Let me state in the strongest possible terms: I agree that what you're showing here represents a trend that, given current spending and taxation decisions, is going to lead to an unsustainable debt situation, with rising interest rates and declining investment in the United States that will further harm productivity growth and living standards. I believe a key thing that Congress should be taking into account when designing fiscal policy is the need to achieve sustainability of this debt path over time.”
Watch a clip of the full exchange above, or learn more about the key drivers of our growing debt.
Photo by Zach Gibson/Getty Images
Further Reading
The United States Is Adding to the National Debt Faster Than Ever
The nation’s debt is growing at a historic rate and eclipsing all-time highs.
Infographic: The National Debt Is Now More than $37 Trillion. What Does That Mean?
Although the national debt affects each of us, it may be difficult to put such a large number into perspective.
How Does the Aging of the Population Affect Our Fiscal Health?
As a large portion of the American population lives well beyond retirement age, the total cost of providing healthcare will grow as well.