Poll: Voters Don’t Want New Legislation or Tax Cuts that Increase the National Debt
Last Updated January 30, 2025
This year, President Trump and the new Congress face a series of high stakes fiscal policy decisions including the debt ceiling, a government funding deadline and — perhaps most importantly — the expiration of trillions in tax cuts.
New polling shows that Americans have little appetite for new legislation that adds to our $36 trillion and rising national debt. In fact, strong majorities of voters across party lines are urging lawmakers to reduce deficits compared to current-law levels. More specifically, nearly 8-in-10 voters are calling on the new administration and Congress to ensure that any changes in tax policy this year do not add to the debt.
Commenting on these results, Michael A. Peterson, CEO of the Peterson Foundation, said “As a new president and Congress take office, voters across the political spectrum see the need to prioritize addressing our $36 trillion and rising national debt. When it comes to the major tax reform debate in 2025, Americans are clear that lawmakers should ‘do no fiscal harm’ by making sure that any changes to the tax system don’t make our debt any worse. We’re already on track to add $22 trillion more in new debt over the next ten years, including $14 trillion in interest payments, so the time to act is now.”
Image by Mark Wilson/Getty Images
Further Reading
Growing National Debt Sets Off Alarm Bells for U.S. Business Leaders
Debt rising unsustainably threatens the country’s economic future, and a number of business leaders have signaled their concern.
What Is R Versus G and Why Does It Matter for the National Debt?
The combination of higher debt levels and elevated interest rates have increased the cost of federal borrowing, prompting economists to consider the sustainability of our fiscal trajectory.
High Interest Rates Left Their Mark on the Budget
When rates increase, borrowing costs rise; unfortunately, for the fiscal bottom line, that dynamic has been playing out over the past few years.