Burden of Debt: A Discussion with Rep. Paul Ryan
Past Event
The federal deficit, already huge by any standard, is predicted to remain above $1 trillion throughout the next decade and beyond. Many experts estimate that, by 2020, the nation’s debt/GDP ratio will exceed 90 percent, a level widely perceived to increase the risk of a catastrophic financial event. Neither Congress nor the last two administrations have proposed serious plans to reduce the long-term deficit, although President Obama has appointed a bipartisan commission to make recommendations on how the deficit can be reduced.
On July 22, Brookings hosted Rep. Paul Ryan (R-Wisc.), ranking member of the House Budget Committee, who has proposed what he calls “A Roadmap for America’s Future.” Ryan, who is also a member of the president’s deficit commission, summarized his plan and answered questions. His talk was followed by comments from budget experts representing diverse views on the changes in spending and taxes required to reduce the deficit.
After the presentations, panelists took questions from the audience.
Agenda
Welcome & Introduction
Moderator: <a href="https://www.brookings.edu/experts/haskinsr.aspx">Ron Haskins</a>
Senior Fellow and Co-Director, Center on Children & Families
Keynote Speaker
Panel
William G. Gale
The Arjay and Frances Fearing Miller Chair in Federal Economic Policy
Senior Fellow - Economic Studies
Director - Retirement Security Project
Co-Director - Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center
Stephen Moore
Senior Economics Writer
Diane Lim Rogers
Chief Economist, The Concord Coalition
Austin Smythe
Staff Director to Rep. Paul Ryan
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