Americans Are Worried About the Growing U.S. National Debt

The United States national debt recently passed $40 trillion, and many Americans are taking notice. A new survey found that 83 percent of registered voters said their worry about the debt has grown in recent years. With midterm elections coming in November, voters and political experts are debating how much the debt will shape who people choose to vote for.

The survey was conducted by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation in August. It asked 1,002 registered voters about their views on the national debt and the economy. About 82 percent said they wanted the debt to be one of President Donald Trump's and Congress's top three priorities, and 85 percent wanted leaders to spend more time working on it.

The national debt is the total amount of money the federal government has borrowed over time. It grows when the government spends more money than it collects in taxes and other income. The debt has more than doubled in the past ten years, rising from $19.5 trillion to over $40 trillion.

Even though many voters are concerned about the debt, political experts say it may not be the biggest issue driving votes in November. Nicole Brener-Schmitz, a Democratic political strategist, said voters are more focused on the costs they face in their daily lives. 'They wake up worrying about whether they can afford groceries, housing, gas, healthcare and childcare — and whether their paycheck will last until the end of the month,' she said.

James Christopher, another political expert, agreed that the debt is a serious long-term problem but not always a top concern for voters on Election Day. He said a problem can be enormous without affecting people's lives in a way they can easily see. 'The distinction is important: A problem can be enormous without affecting ordinary voters' lives in a visible way that drives their votes,' he explained.

The survey also looked at how voters connect the national debt to their own wallets. It found that 94 percent of voters said the cost of living was important to how they would vote. When told that a rising debt can lead to higher inflation and interest rates, 91 percent said they were worried about how the debt affects everyday expenses like groceries, energy, and housing.

Prices have been going up for many Americans in recent months. Consumer prices were 3.4 percent higher in July compared to a year earlier, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Grocery prices rose 2.7 percent, housing costs went up 3.2 percent, and energy prices jumped 14.7 percent over the same period.

The November midterm elections will decide which party controls Congress for the last two years of President Trump's term. Republicans currently control both the Senate and the House of Representatives, as well as the White House. This means they will be judged on their record and the promises they have made about lowering costs for Americans.

President Trump has called himself 'the affordability president.' House Speaker Mike Johnson has promoted a new tax law called the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, saying it helps working families keep more of what they earn. The law made several tax cuts permanent, including a larger standard deduction, a bigger Child Tax Credit, and new deductions for workers who earn tips or overtime pay.

However, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that the new tax law could add $4.7 trillion to the national deficit between 2026 and 2035. Christopher said Republicans face more risk at the ballot box because they control the government and promised to cut costs. 'Both parties have contributed to the debt, but Republicans are more immediately vulnerable because they control all branches of the federal government,' he said.

Brener-Schmitz said neither party has a strong record on keeping the debt under control. She pointed out that both Democrats and Republicans have supported spending increases or tax cuts without explaining how to pay for them. 'Neither party has much credibility on the debt after years of supporting tax cuts or spending increases without explaining how they would pay for them,' she said.

The Peterson survey found that 86 percent of voters said a candidate's plan for the debt would affect whether they voted for that person. An even higher number — 96 percent — said they were more likely to support a candidate who had a clear plan. About 73 percent said they would even consider voting for a candidate from a different party if that candidate had a strong debt plan.

Still, experts warn that survey answers do not always predict real votes. Christopher said people often express openness to change in polls but end up voting based on the issues that affect them most directly. He said most voters will not switch parties over a number on a government balance sheet, but they might if their credit card bills, rent, or grocery costs become too much to handle.

Brener-Schmitz said the $40 trillion milestone gives candidates something to talk about, but it will not automatically win votes. She said candidates need to connect big economic ideas to the real struggles families face every day. 'Candidates who offer a credible plan to lower everyday costs, protect Social Security and Medicare, create good-paying jobs and improve people's financial security will have their attention,' she said.