Michael A. Peterson on CBO Outlook
“The updated budget outlook from the Congressional Budget Office underscores the gravity of America’s fiscal situation and the continuing need for action to address our long-term fiscal challenges.
CBO projects that our national debt will climb to more than 90 percent of GDP within the next ten years if Congress and the President continue our current policies. Even more alarming than the ten-year outlook is CBO’s warning of the economic dangers that could result from the unsustainable growth of debt in the decades that follow.
Allowing our national debt to increase unchecked is an unacceptable risk to the future stability and prosperity of our nation. A future 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.
Credible, bipartisan solutions exist that could be implemented gradually when the economy is stronger, and the sooner we act the better.”
Further Reading
How Much Does the Government Spend on International Affairs?
Federal spending for international affairs, which supports American diplomacy and development aid, is a small portion of the U.S. budget.
What Is Inflation and Why Does It Matter?
Here’s an overview of inflation, why it matters, and how it’s managed.
5 Key Facts About Rising Healthcare Spending in the United States
Healthcare spending in the United States is a key driver of the nation’s fiscal imbalance and has risen notably over the past few decades.