Infographic: President Biden and Congress Face a Range of Complex and Urgent Policy Issues
Last Updated January 19, 2021
Defeating COVID-19 and putting our economy on a path to recovery continue to be the most pressing priorities for our nation. At the same time, our fiscal outlook has worsened considerably — and once the pandemic is over, lawmakers will need to return to managing our historically high national debt. Below is a look at the fiscal and economic landscape that policymakers will inherit.

Further Reading
What Is the Primary Deficit?
The primary deficit is the difference between government revenues and spending, excluding interest payments. Learn more about the U.S. primary deficit.
What Is the National Debt Costing Us?
Programs that millions of Americans depend on and care about may be feeling a squeeze from interest costs on our high and rising national debt.
Poll: Voters Don’t Want New Legislation or Tax Cuts that Increase the National Debt
This year, President Trump and the new Congress face a series of high stakes fiscal policy decisions.