Show Notes
At the beginning of the century, the U.S. was on track to pay off its federal debt. Today, that debt has surpassed $40 trillion, with annual interest payments exceeding the defense budget. As the debt continues to grow, concerns are mounting over its long-term impact on the economy and everyday Americans.
This week on The Important Part, Marc Goldwein, Senior Vice President and Senior Policy Director at the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, joins Liz Thomas to unpack America's growing national debt. Marc explains how decades of fiscal policy decisions and an aging population have contributed to the problem, and why the debt-to-GDP ratio may be more important than the headline number.
Liz and Marc discuss how rising debt could affect everyday Americans, from borrowing costs to long-term economic growth. Marc explains why he believes the U.S. could be entering the early stages of a debt spiral and shares his concerns about what could happen if the government fails to act. He also outlines potential solutions, including his proposed reforms to Social Security and ways to address federal spending.
The discussion then shifts to financial markets, where Liz examines the relationship between rising Treasury yields and the national debt. Marc offers his perspective on the risks facing the Treasury market, while Liz considers what growing debt could mean for investors and whether policymakers can address the problem before it becomes a larger crisis.
The Important Part: Investing with Liz Thomas is a video podcast covering investing, markets, economic trends, portfolio strategy, and the biggest stories shaping investors today.
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