National Debt Reaches $35 Trillion, Scott Introduces Bill to Monitor Federal Spending

Senator Rick Scott (R-FL) and Representative Josh Brecheen (R-OK) have introduced the Debt-Per-Citizen-Transparency Act, a bill that requires all Congressional Budget Office (CBO) cost estimates to disclose how much a new piece of legislation will affect the debt-to-citizen ratio.

With the national debt reaching over $35 trillion and an election right around the corner, it has become a topic of discussion in this election.

Sen. Scott spoke on the increasing national debt and its danger to everyday Americans.

“The national debt has reached an unsustainable $35+ trillion and it is beyond time for some accountability to the American people,” said Sen. Scott. “When you break it down, that works out to over $104,000 per child born today—we cannot continue to saddle our next generation with this debt.”

Furthermore, Sen. Scott described the American Dream as being taken away right before United States citizens.

“It is taking away their chance at the American Dream right before our eyes,” Scott said. “I will not stand for it, and that is why I am introducing a bill that notifies Congress and the American people just how much a piece of legislation will impact the American people’s financial burden before they vote and continue to grow the debt-to-citizen ratio. They have a right to know.”

Moreover, Rep. Brecheen added that it is “long past time we reverse this curse” of the national debt plaguing future generations.

Congressman Brecheen said, “With our national debt at more than $35 trillion, it is essential that lawmakers are made aware of how much legislation will affect the total debt-per-citizen ratio before voting on it. Every child born today owes more than $104,000 as their share of our national debt. It is long past time we reverse this curse and stop stealing prosperity from our children and grandchildren.”

Original cosponsors include Representatives Greg Lopez (R-CO) and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) in the House. Senator Mike Braun (R-IN) joined Sen. Scott by co-sponsoring this bill in the upper chamber.

The Heritage Action and Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget support the legislation, according to Sen. Scott’s office.