Statement from the Peterson Foundation on CBO’s Budget and Economic Outlook

NEW YORK — Michael A. Peterson, President and COO of the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, released the following statement as the Congressional Budget Office released its Budget and Economic Outlook for 2014-2024:
“This report makes clear that the recent improvement in deficits will be short-lived unless we get back to work on fiscal solutions. CBO projects that our deficits will begin rising again within just 2 years, and will grow even more rapidly beyond the 10-year window. CBO estimates that interest costs alone will be a staggering $5.8 trillion over the next 10 years, and become the third largest ‘program’ in the federal budget by 2021. To solve this problem for the long term, we must address the fundamental drivers of our debt, which are high and rising health care costs, an aging population, and an inadequate tax system. Putting our long-term debt on a sustainable path will build confidence today, and ensure economic opportunity and prosperity for future generations.”
For the full CBO report, click here.
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.
With $40 Trillion in Debt, Is the U.S. Headed for More Credit Downgrades?
Three successive downgrades of the U.S. credit rating should alarm elected leaders, but our national debt remains on an unsustainable trajectory.
The United States Is Adding to the National Debt Faster Than Ever
The nation’s debt is growing at a historic rate and eclipsing all-time highs.