New Poll Finds Widespread Support for Creation of a Bipartisan Fiscal Commission 

A recent poll released by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation shows that a strong majority of Americans are increasingly concerned with the national debt and support bipartisan work to tackle our fiscal issues. 

The poll finds a vast majority of Americans are growing more concerned over the state of our national debt, with 81 percent reporting that their level of concern has increased over the last few years. When asked about prioritizing the national debt, 84 percent of respondents want Congress and the President to spend more time and effort addressing the national debt. 

In the past few months, a bipartisan fiscal commission has been gaining momentum with support both inside and outside of Congress. Sixty-three percent of those polled either support or strongly support a bipartisan commission across a range of party affiliations – 67 percent of Democrats, 62 percent of Independents, and 59 percent of Republicans. Just 5 percent of those polled opposed the idea of a commission. 

While debt is expected to exceed its record level as a share of the economy in just six years, inflation remains elevated, interest rates continue to rise, and major trust funds face insolvency, it is time for lawmakers to listen to the public and create a new fiscal commission that will take a serious look at all parts of the federal budget and tax code to put our debt on a more sustainable path.