Peterson Foundation Statement on New Round of Tax Cuts

FOR RELEASE

Sep 11, 2018

CONTACT

NEW YORK — Michael A. Peterson, Chairman and CEO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, commented today on new deficit-financed tax legislation introduced in the House of Representatives:

“Another round of tax cuts financed with borrowed money is doubling down on fiscal irresponsibility. Instead of digging the hole deeper and passing even more debt to our children, lawmakers should implement reforms that actually improve our unsustainable fiscal outlook.

“The reason that these provisions were not permanent in the first place was that we could not afford it. What has changed? Our deficits have only gotten worse. The administration recently acknowledged that we have returned to trillion-dollar annual deficits, and we’ll remain above that level as far as the eye can see.

“Tax cuts simply don’t pay for themselves. America’s future economy depends on a strong fiscal foundation, and more debt is the last thing we need.”

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.