$36 Trillion Debt Sparks New 'Fiscal Responsibility' Group Led by Democrat

The Concord Coalition, an advocacy group focused on fiscal responsibility, has announced a fresh initiative aimed at tackling the United States' jaw-dropping $36 trillion national debt. Leading the charge is former Rep. Carolyn Bourdeaux, D-Ga., who has been appointed to spearhead the new "fiscal responsibility" group, Concord Action.

Concord Action is positioning itself as a grassroots powerhouse, hoping to push Congress toward achieving a balanced and sustainable national budget. Discussing the plan in an exclusive interview, Bourdeaux shared her ambitions to reignite fiscal discipline in Washington. "We are getting ready to launch Concord Action," she said, emphasizing the importance of mobilizing public energy around reducing the debt and deficit.

Bourdeaux, a former one-term representative for Georgia's 7th Congressional District, is no stranger to budget battles. During her time in Congress, she worked on bipartisan efforts as part of the Blue Dog Task Force on Fiscal Responsibility and Government Reform. Before her political career, she served as the director of Georgia's Senate Budget and Evaluation Office during the 2008 economic downturn, where she advised lawmakers on balancing the state’s budget amidst the chaos of the Great Recession. Her takeaway? Fiscal discipline is possible—even amid partisanship.

"I helped Georgia balance its budget during the worst fiscal crisis in modern memory," she noted. "That experience showed me it can be done through our regular democratic processes. That’s the sensibility I want to bring to Concord." Bourdeaux’s confidence is admirable, though one has to wonder if the nation’s current gridlocked Congress is ready to embrace such optimism.

The timing of Concord Action’s launch coincides with heightened public concern over the economy. A recent voter analysis found that the economy is top-of-mind for Americans, with inflation being the leading concern for many. Bourdeaux acknowledged this urgency, stating, "We’ve just experienced serious inflation, driven in part by the growing debt. Interest rates have risen, and the pressure is mounting."

The group plans to engage the public through digital campaigns, newsletters, and town halls, all aimed at fostering grassroots momentum. While the Concord Coalition will continue its advocacy work, Concord Action will focus on direct public mobilization to pressure lawmakers into action.

Bourdeaux painted a stark picture of the fiscal reality. "We are $36 trillion in debt right now, and the Congressional Budget Office projects we’ll add another $25 trillion. We’re spending more on interest payments than on national defense or Medicare. This is putting serious strain on our national priorities." If that doesn’t make you sit up, I don’t know what will.

As the country edges closer to another government shutdown and Congress begins negotiations for the fiscal 2026 budget, Bourdeaux stressed the necessity of addressing the debt crisis now. "It is extremely important that we address this," she said emphatically. Whether Concord Action's grassroots push will move the needle in Washington remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: the stakes couldn’t be higher.