In a political landscape often defined by deep partisan divides, a striking consensus has emerged among American voters regarding the nation’s financial health. As the United States contends with a ballooning fiscal burden, a newly released survey indicates the national debt is viewed as a critical threat by a supermajority of the electorate. According to new data released Thursday, 72% of Democrats and 87% of Republicans now agree lawmakers should spend more time focused on the debt.
The survey, commissioned by the Peter G. Peterson Foundation, highlights growing voter anxiety as the country’s financial obligations mount. The poll reveals voters across the ideological spectrum are demanding action from Washington, with foundation CEO Michael G. Peterson noting “as our nation races towards $40 trillion in debt,” this new survey of more than 1,000 registered voters shows widespread agreement across party lines lawmakers should pursue solutions to stabilize the debt and put our country—and economy—on a stronger, more sustainable path.”
Bipartisan demand for action
The poll underscores fiscal responsibility is no longer a niche concern. Beyond the high agreement among major party voters, 69% of independents also classify the debt as a top-tier economic problem.
This unity extends to how voters believe elected officials should allocate their time. The survey found 81% of voters want the president and Congress to spend more time addressing the national debt. Furthermore, 77% of voters agree reducing the debt should be among the top three priorities for lawmakers (72% of Democrats, 69% of independents, and 87% of Republicans).
“The national debt is growing faster than ever, and voters understand that this is a major problem for America’s economic future,” Michael Peterson said. “This new survey shows widespread agreement across party lines that lawmakers should pursue solutions to stabilize the debt and put our country—and economy—on a stronger, more sustainable path.”
Deepening pessimism on Capitol Hill
Despite the clear mandate from voters, public confidence in Washington’s ability to solve the crisis is deteriorating. The survey’s “U.S. Fiscal Confidence Index”—a measure of public opinion on debt modeled after the Consumer Confidence Index—registered a low score of 50 in January 2026, where a score of 100 represents a neutral midpoint.
Underlying this low score is a sharp pessimistic turn regarding short-term progress. For the first time since September of the previous year, a majority of voters (52%) expressed pessimism leaders will make any headway on the debt in the near future. Additionally, 57% of respondents believe lawmakers are currently on the “wrong track” when it comes to managing the nation’s finances. When asked about the future trajectory of the issue, the outlook remained grim, with 60% of voters expecting the debt situation to worsen over the next few years.
Intensity of concern rising
The intensity of voter sentiment is also climbing. When asked about their views over the last few years, 77% of voters reported their level of concern regarding the national debt has increased, with nearly half (48%) stating it has “increased a lot”.
The poll identifies a significant gap between voter expectations and government performance. The Fiscal Confidence Index component measuring “priority”—how high a priority addressing the debt should be for leaders—scored a 26. This low reading indicates a profound disconnect, suggesting Americans feel as if elected leaders are failing to treat the long-term debt with the urgency the public demands.
The survey reflects a rare bipartisan collaboration in polling as well. It was conducted jointly by the Democratic firm Global Strategy Group and the Republican firm North Star Opinion Research. The poll surveyed 1,010 registered voters nationwide between Jan. and Jan. 21, 2026, carrying a margin of error of +/- 3.1%.
For this story, Fortune journalists used generative AI as a research tool. An editor verified the accuracy of the information before publishing.
