Infographic: President Biden and Congress Face a Range of Complex and Urgent Policy Issues
Last Updated January 19, 2021
Defeating COVID-19 and putting our economy on a path to recovery continue to be the most pressing priorities for our nation. At the same time, our fiscal outlook has worsened considerably — and once the pandemic is over, lawmakers will need to return to managing our historically high national debt. Below is a look at the fiscal and economic landscape that policymakers will inherit.
Further Reading
76 Options for Reducing the Deficit
The nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office released 76 policy options — spanning both revenues and spending — that could help bring the country’s rising debt under control.
News from the Quarterly Treasury Refunding Statement
As borrowing has risen, the Treasury has generally been increasing the proportion of bills (maturity of one year or less) in its portfolio of marketable securities.
The Fed Reduced the Short-Term Rate Again, but Interest Costs Remain High
High interest rates on U.S. Treasury securities increase the federal government’s borrowing costs.