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
How Much Do We Spend on the Federal Workforce?
Here, we examine the federal government’s expenditure on its workforce, the evolution of its size over time, and the opportunities for budget savings.
What Are Interest Costs on the National Debt?
Interest costs are on track to become the largest category of spending in the federal budget.
The One Big Beautiful Bill Act Is the Most Expensive Reconciliation Package in Recent History
The legislative package will be the most expensive reconciliation bill in a quarter of a century and will add trillions of dollars to the U.S. debt.