Concerns Over National Debt and Spending

Back in 2011, the national debt stood at approximately $15 trillion, leading to over $450 billion in interest payments by the U.S. Treasury. During that period, Washington was essentially printing money to navigate yet another financial crisis, alongside introducing new, taxpayer-funded subsidies for health insurance companies through Obamacare. It was evident even then that such high levels of spending weren’t sustainable.

In that climate of rampant deficit spending, a wave of new conservative leaders emerged in Congress, myself included. We carried a mandate from the American public to restore fiscal responsibility and financial independence. I stepped away from my medical practice to enter public office because I believed we should not allow future generations to bear the burden of irresponsible political decisions.

The quest for fiscal discipline is ongoing, and later this year, I intend to push for a vote on my balanced budget proposal, known as the Six Penny Plan.

However, it pains me to say that Congress seems to have completely lost its way.

Under the Six Penny Plan, Congress would need to implement a six percent cut in spending each year for five years. Once the budget is in balance, spending could then increase based on additional revenue generated from economic growth.

Currently, the national debt has soared beyond $40 trillion, with Congress spending over $1 trillion annually just on interest payments. This is more than what is allocated for national defense. Such overwhelming debt is fueling higher interest rates and inflation, which impacts every American. It’s a glaring, urgent warning—just as obvious as the red ink visible in our budget documents.

So what has Congress proposed in response to this looming fiscal crisis? More of the same old tactics. Earlier this summer, Congress passed a continuing resolution to prolong the existing situation, and there’s a plan to discuss another extension before the year concludes.

Yet, the encouraging news is that it doesn’t have to stay this way. As Congress addresses government funding later this year, there’s an opportunity to adopt my Six Penny Plan, which aims to balance the budget within five years.

No one can honestly claim to support a balanced budget while voting against the only true balanced budget proposal that has come up. It’s time to cut out the empty rhetoric. No more excuses. No more games.

The Six Penny Plan doesn’t specify which programs or areas should face cuts—in fact, it explicitly exempts Social Security. Instead, it establishes a maximum spending level. What remains within that cap is open for discussion. This budget approach mirrors the real-life dilemmas that many Americans encounter, especially during financially challenging times: What can be kept, and what should be trimmed? The Six Penny Plan entails finding a six percent reduction yearly for five years, after which, once the budget achieves balance, spending can rise with revenue growth.

It’s interesting to note that when I first introduced what ultimately became the Penny Plan back in 2018, Congress would’ve only needed to adhere to a spending freeze. Their inaction back then has made our current situation significantly more complex.

Over time, it transitioned from the Penny Plan requiring one percent cuts to the “Pennies Plan,” and now, it has evolved into the Six Penny Plan, which asks for six cents to be saved from every dollar spent.

For too long, Congress has treated the debt issue like a problem for another day, a challenge to be faced later. Unfortunately, that later has arrived. Each year that Congress remains inactive fuels the growing debt problem and raises the stakes for an even more significant crisis in the future.

Furthermore, we need to recognize inaction for what it truly is: a choice to allow hidden inflation to silently tax every American, contributing to rising living costs. Such inaction can’t continue.

The Six Penny Plan is a viable solution. It was previously supported by most Senate Republicans when voted on in 2024 and 2025. Since a budget resolution requires only a simple majority, Senate Republicans have the numbers necessary to pass the Six Penny Plan.

This isn’t just theory—this is the moment we need to act. Momentum is building for the Six Penny Plan, and there should be sufficient support. Let’s demonstrate that conservatives can live up to their promises and achieve a balanced budget.

It’s time to pass the Six Penny Plan.