Economic policy and the role of government was a central concern for voters in the lead up to the 2024 election. One reflection of that was the increasing concerns about the size of the federal debt held by the public. Yet there was less consensus on ways to manage government spending, tax policies, and commitments to fund entitlement programs like Medicare and Social Security that together impact the economy and people’s well-being. Indeed, throughout the 2024 election, voters heard differing approaches to rising government debt, Social Security, the scheduled expiration of the 2017 tax cuts, and even the proper role and size of government. The ways that Congress and the White House grapple with these economic and fiscal challenges not only impact the long-term trajectory of the economy but could also redefine the role and functions of government.
