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 could affect economic stability. According to the announcement, the Fiscal Commission Act seeks to bring together lawmakers from both parties to address these challenges through structured dialogue and policy recommendations.
Supporters of the bill include organizations across the political spectrum. 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.” Michele Stockwell, President of Bipartisan Policy Center Action, said, “The growing national debt is raising costs for American families… BPC Action applauds Senators Curtis, King…for leading the Fiscal Commission Act and urges Congress to pass this legislation.”
Other endorsements came from Romina Boccia of the Cato Institute who said it is urgent for Congress to address the growing U.S. debt crisis before more severe measures are required. Maya MacGuineas of Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget said a bipartisan commission creates an opportunity for lawmakers to begin fixing the debt: “We commend Senators Curtis (R-UT) and King (I-ME), along with all the other cosponsors of the Fiscal Commission Act, for taking this important step toward fiscal sanity.”
Dr. Carolyn Bourdeaux of Concord Action highlighted that financing current levels of debt increases interest costs and risks economic stagnation: “A bipartisan fiscal commission with meaningful authority…can help break through gridlock that has stalled progress for too long.” Michael A. Peterson of Peter G. Peterson Foundation noted that interest costs now exceed $1 trillion per year.
The background provided by supporters states that both major parties have contributed to rising deficits—totaling $1.7 trillion in 2025—and projects federal interest payments will surpass Medicare or defense spending in 2026.
Ben Ritz from Progressive Policy Institute called creating a bipartisan fiscal commission “a commonsense step toward addressing our long-term budget challenges.” Zach Moller from Third Way added that putting fiscal policy in order could help lower interest rates and ease inflation.
Former senators Joe Manchin and Mitt Romney also voiced support for bipartisan action on what they described as an unsustainable path.
With companion legislation already introduced in the House with over 40 cosponsors, supporters say Congress has an opportunity to confront mounting federal debt through collaborative policymaking.
