Statement from Foundation Chairman Pete Peterson on the 2013 State of the Union Address
“President Obama rightly recognized the importance of both economic growth and deficit reduction in his State of the Union address. While some progress has been made, America still faces a severe long-term debt problem that must be resolved. Recent reforms have done very little to address our long-term structural deficits — debt is still on pace to reach and exceed 200 percent of GDP, which is well beyond anyone’s definition of dangerous and unsustainable.
“Economic growth and long-term debt reduction go hand-in-hand and should be top priorities for the President and Congress. We should act now to put in place a comprehensive plan that reduces deficits once the economy recovers, which would improve confidence and boost our economy in the short term, and strengthen American economic prosperity for the long term.”
Further Reading
Infographic: What Is the Debt Ceiling?
Increasing the debt ceiling allows the Treasury to borrow funds to pay for government obligations that have already been incurred as the result of laws and budgets approved by the President and Congress.
How Does Inflation Affect the Federal Budget?
Rising inflation usually prompts higher interest rates, which in turn boost interest paid on the federal debt and thereby increase annual deficits.
Debt Ceiling Update: What’s at Stake
If lawmakers do not agree on raising or suspending the debt limit before the extraordinary measures are exhausted, there would be severe consequences.