Americans Want to Lower the National Debt

The national debt just crossed $38 trillion. Interest payments alone now cost the federal government over $1 trillion per year — more than we spend on national defense. And yet, despite all the partisan warfare in Washington, there's something remarkable hiding in the polling data: Americans across the political spectrum overwhelmingly agree that the debt is a serious problem and want their leaders to do something about it.

This isn't a rare point of agreement. In fact, Americans share common ground on far more issues than the cable news cycle would suggest. But the national debt stands out as one of the strongest areas of bipartisan consensus in American public life today — and one of the starkest examples of Congress ignoring the will of the people.

The Numbers Don't Lie

The Peter G. Peterson Foundation has been tracking public opinion on the debt through its Fiscal Confidence Index, a monthly survey jointly conducted by a Democratic polling firm (Global Strategy Group) and a Republican one (North Star Opinion Research). The February 2026 results are striking: 79% of voters agree that addressing the debt should be a top-three priority for the president and Congress — including 75% of Democrats, 75% of independents, and 85% of Republicans.

That's not a slim majority. That's a supermajority across every political faction.

The intensity is growing, too. A January 2026 survey found that 77% of voters said their concern about the national debt has increased in recent years, with nearly half saying it has "increased a lot." And 81% of voters want the president and Congress to spend more time addressing the debt. Peterson Foundation CEO Michael A. Peterson put it plainly: "The national debt is growing faster than ever, and voters understand that this is a major problem for America's economic future."

Meanwhile, the Congressional Budget Office projects a $1.9 trillion deficit for fiscal year 2026, with federal debt rising to 120% of GDP by 2036. The gap between what voters want and what Washington delivers has rarely been wider.

Both Spending Cuts and Tax Increases Have Support

The political debate in Washington often frames debt reduction as an either/or choice: cut spending or raise taxes. But the public is more pragmatic than the politicians.

A September 2025 Gallup poll found that 27% of Americans prefer an equal mix of spending cuts and tax increases to reduce the deficit, while 49% lean toward mostly or only spending cuts, and 17% favor mostly or only tax increases. The picture shifts when you look at specific proposals. The same Gallup survey found that 63% of Americans support increasing income tax rates for upper-income Americans, and 54% support increasing tax revenues by making major changes to the federal tax code — the only two proposals to receive majority support among all options tested.

The partisan breakdown is revealing. A 41% plurality of Democrats favor equal spending cuts and tax increases, while another 28% lean toward tax increases. Among Republicans, 80% favor deficit reduction through spending cuts. But even here, there's overlap: Navigator Research found that 79% of Americans support raising taxes on the wealthy — including 63% of Republicans.

A Hoover Institution/YouGov poll from April 2025 reinforced the fiscal responsibility consensus: 75% of Americans are concerned about the growing federal debt and believe Congress should prioritize deficit reduction. Support for extending tax cuts drops significantly when voters learn the extensions would increase the deficit — showing that fiscal responsibility, not ideology, drives the public's thinking.

The bottom line: Americans want results. They're open to a combination of tools — trimming spending where it's wasteful and asking those at the top to pay more — as long as the debt actually comes down.

Washington Isn't Listening

Despite this clear mandate, the CBO's February 2026 outlook projects deficits will total $24.4 trillion over the next decade, with interest payments on the debt more than doubling from $1.0 trillion in 2026 to $2.1 trillion by 2036. The Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget estimates the national debt will reach 175% of GDP by 2056 — or $168 trillion.

Strong majorities of voters — 57% — agree that lawmakers are on the wrong track when it comes to addressing the debt, and 60% believe the problem will worsen. As Peterson noted in February 2026: "Voters understand that rising debt puts upward pressure on inflation and interest rates, and they are calling on candidates — and even looking across party lines — for solutions."

The disconnect is not between left and right. It's between the American people and their elected representatives.

How DirectGov Puts Fiscal Impact Front and Center

At DirectGov, we believe informed citizens make better decisions — and that starts with transparency about costs. That's why every policy proposal on our platform includes a fiscal impact analysis estimating whether it would raise or lower the national debt. When you browse, debate, or vote on a proposal, you'll see its projected effect on federal revenue, spending, and the deficit right alongside the policy details.

No hidden costs. No hand-waving. Just clear information so you can weigh the trade-offs for yourself.

If 79% of Americans agree the debt should be a top priority, then it's time for a platform that takes that seriously. Explore proposals on DirectGov, see their fiscal impact, and make your voice heard on the policies that will shape our country's financial future.

Americans Want to Lower the National Debt

The Numbers Don't Lie

Both Spending Cuts and Tax Increases Have Support

Washington Isn't Listening

How DirectGov Puts Fiscal Impact Front and Center

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