U.S. Senators John Curtis and Angus King announced on Mar. 12 that their Fiscal Commission Act has received broad support from key stakeholders. The legislation, introduced earlier in the month, aims to create a bipartisan commission tasked with finding legislative solutions to stabilize federal spending and reduce the national debt, which now exceeds $38.8 trillion.
The issue of rising national debt is significant as it impacts government spending priorities and economic stability. Supporters say the proposed commission could help Congress address fiscal challenges that have grown over decades.
Kurt Couchman, Senior Fellow in Fiscal Policy at Americans for Prosperity, said, “Congress should review and update activities throughout the federal budget. A well-designed fiscal commission like Senators Curtis and King’s Fiscal Commission Act can help Congress rebuild trust, start looking at everything, and move toward more responsible stewardship. Ideally, it would lay the foundation for Congress to embrace a more holistic and effective regular order for budgeting.”
Michele Stockwell, President of Bipartisan Policy Center Action, said, “The growing national debt is raising costs for American families, while federal interest payments on our debt are crowding out our ability to invest in critical programs. This unsustainable dynamic risks further weakening the U.S. economy if Congress fails to act. BPC Action applauds Senators Curtis, King, Tillis, Coons, Young, Kaine, Cassidy, Shaheen, Cramer, and Warner for leading the Fiscal Commission Act and urges Congress to pass this legislation.”
Romina Boccia of the Cato Institute highlighted urgency: “I commend Senators John Curtis (R-UT) and Angus King (I-ME) for introducing the Senate companion to the bipartisan House Fiscal Commission Act… With interest costs on America’s debt exceeding what the government spends on national defense… it is urgent that members of Congress address the growing US debt crisis.”
Other organizations echoed these concerns about rising interest costs and long-term economic risks. Maya MacGuineas of Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget said a bipartisan commission creates an opportunity “for lawmakers to begin fixing the debt.” Dr. Carolyn Bourdeaux of Concord Action noted that financing $38 trillion in debt increases risk of inflation and threatens economic stability.
Background information provided by supporters states that both parties have contributed to current deficits through past fiscal policies. In 2025 alone annual budget deficits totaled $1.7 trillion; projections indicate federal interest payments will exceed $1 trillion in 2026—more than Medicare or defense spending.
Former senators Joe Manchin and Mitt Romney also voiced support for bipartisan action through this legislation but stressed that any effort must lead to real change rather than another report without follow-up.
Looking ahead, supporters argue that passage of this bill could provide lawmakers with a structured forum to negotiate practical solutions before fiscal pressures worsen.
