Statement by Foundation Chairman, Peter G. Peterson, on President Obama’s State of the Union Address
Statement by Foundation Chairman, Peter G. Peterson, on President Obama’s State of the Union Address
“To build a thriving economy with opportunity for all Americans, the President and Congress must take decisive action to address our long-term debt and deficits. An economy burdened by massive interest costs cannot grow, and the critical resources we need to invest in our future will simply not be there unless we get our fiscal house in order.
The nation can’t afford for our lawmakers to take a year off from fiscal reform, just because this is a political season. Many credible solutions exist, and both parties should pursue them together. There are several bipartisan plans that get the fiscal job done, with consideration of the fragile recovery, compassion for the most vulnerable, and with comprehensive tax reform that is both more fair and more competitive.
A plan that is implemented when the economy is stronger is not only essential for our economic and fiscal future, but would boost confidence today and help to stimulate the current economy.”
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Fiscal Outlook
Further Reading
The Federal Government Has Borrowed Trillions. Who Owns All that Debt?
Most federal debt is owed to domestic holders, but foreign ownership is much higher now than it was about 50 years ago.
No Tax on Social Security Would Weaken Both Social Security and Medicare
Republicans in Congress are considering several new tax cuts that would reduce federal revenues by trillions of dollars over the next decade.
The United States Spends More on Defense than the Next 9 Countries Combined
Defense spending by the United States accounted for nearly 40 percent of military expenditures by countries around the world in 2023.