Policy Watch: The US Debt: How Does it Affect You, Your Business, and What Can We Do to Fix it?

In 2017, the U.S. debt surpassed $20 trillion for the first time. And looking forward, in just a few years, the federal government’s debt-to-GDP ratio may very well exceed 100 percent, making our debt burden the highest it has ever been since the end of World War II.

But what does all of this mean for you? Join this interactive discussion to learn how the national debt affects your paycheck and the overall fiscal health of the United States.  

Insights from this webcast:

  • Learn more about the state and trajectory of the national debt.
  • Hear how rising national debt will soon impact Americans – both young and old – and the businesses for which they work.
  • Discover what citizens and businesses can and should do to fix it.

Who Should Attend: Anyone with an interest in how rising national debt will impact business and the US economy, as well as individual wealth.

 Watch Full Recording
W. Bowman Cutter Caroline Ferguson Joseph J. Minarik Michael Petro
Policy Watch: The US Debt: How Does it Affect You, Your Business, and What Can We Do to Fix it?
Our Privacy Policy has been updated! The Conference Board uses cookies to improve our website, enhance your experience, and deliver relevant messages and offers about our products. Detailed information on the use of cookies on this site is provided in our cookie policy. For more information on how The Conference Board collects and uses personal data, please visit our privacy policy. By continuing to use this Site or by clicking "ACCEPT", you acknowledge our privacy policy and consent to the use of cookies. 
Our Privacy Policy has been updated! Detailed information on the use of cookies on this site is provided in our cookie policy and our privacy policy. 
TCB Tourch
Loading...
  •  
    • NORTH AMERICA
    • EUROPE
    • ASIA

  • 2

    Close
    • Insights
        • Insights
        • Explore by Center
          • Explore by Center

          • China

          • Economy, Strategy & Finance

          • Governance & Sustainability

          • Human Capital
        • Explore by Content Type
          • Explore by Content Type

          • Reports

          • Upcoming Webcasts

          • On Demand Webcasts

          • Podcasts

          • Charts & Infographics

          • Explore All Research

          • Economic Indicators
        • Trending Topics
          • Trending Topics

          • Artificial Intelligence (AI)

          • Navigating Washington

          • Geopolitics

          • US Economic Forecast

          • Sustainability

          • Future of Work

          • Explore All Trending Topics

    • Events
        • Events
        • Upcoming Events
          • Upcoming Events

          • Future: Sustainable Impact 2026

          • Future: Enterprise & AI 2026

          • Explore all Upcoming Events

          • Sponsor a Program

        • Member-Exclusive Programs
          • Member-Exclusive Programs

          • Center Briefings

          • Expert Briefings

          • Experts Live

          • Roundtables

          • Working Groups

          • View all Upcoming Events, Programs, and Webcasts

    • Data
        • Data

        • All Data

        • Consumer Confidence Index®

        • Data Central

        • TCB Benchmarking

        • Recession & Growth Trackers

        • Global Economic Outlook

        • Leading Economic Indicators

        • Help Wanted OnLine

        • Labor Markets

        • Measure of CEO Confidence

        • CMO+CCO Meter Dashboard

    • Centers
        • Centers
        • Our Centers
          • Our Centers

          • China

          • Economy, Strategy & Finance

          • Governance & Sustainability

          • Human Capital
    • Councils
        • Councils
        • Find a Council
          • Find a Council

          • China

          • Economy, Strategy & Finance

          • Governance & Sustainability

          • Human Capital
        • Council Membership
          • Council Membership

          • What is a Council?

          • Benefits of Council Membership

          • Apply to a Council

    • Membership
        • Membership
        • Why Become a Member?
          • Why Become a Member?

          • Benefits of Membership

          • Check if Your Organization is a Member

          • Speak to a Membership Associate
        • Types of Membership
          • Types of Membership

          • C-Suite

          • Leadership

          • Council

          • Insights

          • TCB Advisory

        • Already a Member?
          • Already a Member?

          • Sign In to myTCB®

          • Executive Communities

          • Member-Exclusive Programs

          • Refer a Leader - Earn a Reward

    • About Us
        • About Us
        • Who We Are
          • Who We Are

          • About Us

          • In the News

          • Press Releases

          • Our History

          • Support Our Work

          • Locations

          • Contact Us

        • Our Community
          • Our Community

          • Our Leadership

          • Our Experts

          • Trustees

          • Voting Members

          • Global Counsellors

          • Careers

          • This Week @ TCB

    • Careers
    • This Week @ TCB
    • Sign In to myTCB®
      • NORTH AMERICA
      • EUROPE
      • ASIA
    • Insights
      • Insights
      • Explore by Center
        • Explore by Center

        • China

        • Economy, Strategy & Finance

        • Governance & Sustainability

        • Human Capital

      • Explore by Content Type
        • Explore by Content Type

        • Reports

        • Upcoming Webcasts

        • On Demand Webcasts

        • Podcasts

        • Charts & Infographics

        • Explore All Research

        • Economic Indicators
      • Trending Topics
        • Trending Topics

        • Artificial Intelligence (AI)

        • Navigating Washington

        • Geopolitics

        • US Economic Forecast

        • Sustainability

        • Future of Work

        • Explore All Trending Topics

    • Events
      • Events
      • Upcoming Events
        • Upcoming Events

        • Future: Sustainable Impact 2026

        • Future: Enterprise & AI 2026

        • Explore all Upcoming Events

        • Sponsor a Program

      • Member-Exclusive Programs
        • Member-Exclusive Programs

        • Center Briefings

        • Expert Briefings

        • Experts Live

        • Roundtables

        • Working Groups

        • View all Upcoming Events, Programs, and Webcasts

    • Data
      • Data

      • All Data

      • Consumer Confidence Index®

      • Data Central

      • TCB Benchmarking

      • Recession & Growth Trackers

      • Global Economic Outlook

      • Leading Economic Indicators

      • Help Wanted OnLine

      • Labor Markets

      • Measure of CEO Confidence

      • CMO+CCO Meter Dashboard
    • Centers
      • Centers
      • Our Centers
        • Our Centers

        • China

        • Economy, Strategy & Finance

        • Governance & Sustainability

        • Human Capital

    • Councils
      • Councils
      • Find a Council
        • Find a Council

        • China

        • Economy, Strategy & Finance

        • Governance & Sustainability

        • Human Capital
      • Council Membership
        • Council Membership

        • Benefits of Council Membership

        • Apply to a Council

    • Membership
      • Membership
      • Why Become a Member?
        • Why Become a Member?

        • Benefits of Membership

        • Check if Your Organization is a Member

        • Speak to a Membership Associate

      • Types of Membership
        • Types of Membership

        • C-Suite

        • Leadership

        • Council

        • Insights

        • TCB Advisory

      • Already a Member?
        • Already a Member?

        • Sign In to myTCB®

        • Executive Communities

        • Member-Exclusive Programs

        • Refer a Leader - Earn a Reward

    • About Us
      • About Us
      • Who We Are
        • Who We Are

        • About Us

        • In the News

        • Press Releases

        • This Week @ TCB

        • Our History

        • Support Our Work

        • Locations

        • Contact Us

      • Our Community
        • Our Community

        • Our Leadership

        • Our Experts

        • Trustees

        • Voting Members

        • Global Counsellors

        • Careers

        • This Week @ TCB

    • Careers
    • Sign In to myTCB®
    • Download TCB Insights App
  • Insights
    Insights

    Our research and analysis have helped the world's leading companies navigate challenges and seize opportunities for over 100 years.

    Economic Indicators

    • Explore by Center
    • China
    • Economy, Strategy & Finance
    • Governance & Sustainability
    • Human Capital
    • Explore by Content Type
    • Reports
    • Upcoming Webcasts
    • On Demand Webcasts
    • Podcasts
    • Charts & Infographics
    • Trending Topics
    • Artificial Intelligence (AI)
    • Navigating Washington
    • Geopolitics
    • US Economic Forecast
    • Sustainability
    • Future of Work
    • Explore All Trending Topics
  • Events
    Events

    Our in-person and virtual events offer unmatched opportunities for professional development, featuring top experts and practitioners.

    View all Upcoming Events, Programs, and Webcasts

    Sponsor a Program

    • Upcoming Events

      • Future: Sustainable Impact 2026

      June 11 - 12, 2026

      Future: Enterprise & AI 2026

      November 17 - 18, 2026

    • Member-Exclusive Programs
    • Center Briefings
    • Expert Briefings
    • Experts Live
    • Roundtables
    • Working Groups
    • Explore by Type
    • Events
    • Webcasts
    • Podcasts
    • Member-Exclusive Programs
    • Center Briefings
    • Expert Briefings
    • Experts Live
    • Roundtables
    • Working Groups
  • Data
    Corporate Disclosure Data

    TCB Benchmarking

    Real-time data visualizations to benchmark your governance, compensation, environmental, human capital management (HCM) and social practices against US public companies.

    Economic Data

    All Data

    Consumer Confidence Index®

    Data Central

    One-stop, member-exclusive portal for the entire suite of indicators

    Labor Markets

    Measure of CEO Confidence

     

    Recession & Growth Trackers

    Current & future state of 16 economies

    Global Economic Outlook

    Growth outlooks for 77 economies

    Leading Economic Indicators

    State of the business cycle for 12 global economies across Asia and Europe

    Help Wanted OnLine

    Status of the US job market

    Other Featured Data

    CMO+CCO Meter Dashboard

  • Centers
    Centers

    Centers offer access to world-class experts, research, events, and senior executive communities.

    Our Centers
    • China
    • Economy, Strategy & Finance
    • Governance & Sustainability
    • Human Capital
  • Councils
    Councils

    Councils are invitation-only, peer-led communities of senior executives that come together to exchange knowledge, accelerate career development, and advance their function.

    Find a Council
    • China
    • Economy, Strategy & Finance
    • Governance & Sustainability
    • Human Capital
    Council Membership
    • Benefits of Council Membership
    • Apply to a Council
  • Membership
    Membership

    Membership in The Conference Board arms top executives and their teams with an arsenal of knowledge, networks, and expertise that's unmatched in scope and depth.

    • Why Become a Member?
    • Benefits of Membership
    • Check if Your Organization is a Member
    • Speak to a Membership Associate
    • Types of Membership
    • C-Suite
    • Leadership
    • Council
    • Insights
    • TCB Advisory
    • Already a Member?
    • Sign in to myTCB®
    • Executive Communities
    • Member-Exclusive Programs
    • Refer a Leader - Earn a Reward
  • About Us
    About Us

    The Conference Board is the global, nonprofit think tank and business membership organization that delivers Trusted Insights for What's Ahead®. For over 100 years, our cutting-edge research, data, events and executive networks have helped the world's leading companies understand the present and shape the future.

    • Who We Are
    • About Us
    • In the News
    • Press Releases
    • Our History
    • Support Our Work
    • Locations
    • Contact Us
    • Our Community
    • Our Leadership
    • Our Experts
    • Trustees
    • Voting Members
    • Careers
    • This Week @ TCB
Check if You're a Member
Create Account
Forgot Your Password?

Members of The Conference Board get exclusive access to the full range of products and services that deliver Trusted Insights for What's Ahead ® including webcasts, publications, data and analysis, plus discounts to conferences and events.

CED POLICY WATCH

Policy Watch: The US Debt: How Does it Affect You, Your Business, and What Can We Do to Fix it?

SEPTEMBER 06, 2018

WATCH NOW
  • Email
  • Linkedin
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Copy Link

In 2017, the U.S. debt surpassed $20 trillion for the first time. And looking forward, in just a few years, the federal government’s debt-to-GDP ratio may very well exceed 100 percent, making our debt burden the highest it has ever been since the end of World War II.

But what does all of this mean for you? Join this interactive discussion to learn how the national debt affects your paycheck and the overall fiscal health of the United States.  

Insights from this webcast:

  • Learn more about the state and trajectory of the national debt.
  • Hear how rising national debt will soon impact Americans – both young and old – and the businesses for which they work.
  • Discover what citizens and businesses can and should do to fix it.

Who Should Attend: Anyone with an interest in how rising national debt will impact business and the US economy, as well as individual wealth.

Speakers

W. Bowman Cutter

Senior Fellow and Director of the Next American Ec…
Roosevelt Institute

Read Bio

Caroline Ferguson

Former Research Associate
Committee for Economic Develop…

Read Bio

Joseph J. Minarik

Former Senior Vice President and Director of Resea…
Committee for Economic Develop…

Read Bio

Michael Petro (Moderator)

Former Executive Vice President
Committee for Economic Develop…

Read Bio

On Demand Materials

  • Policy Watch
  • Related Resources

CED Policy Watch

Policy Watch explores relevant topics where business meets US domestic policy. Join experts at the Committee for Economic Development of The Conference Board and prominent policy makers as they dissect the impact of timely decisions from the nation's capital.

Upcoming Webcasts

A Bipartisan Fiscal Commission to Tackle the National Debt

February 20, 2026 01:00 AM - 02:00 AM Singapore (SGT)

CED Policy Watch

March 20, 2026 12:00 AM - 01:00 AM Singapore (SGT)

CED Policy Watch

April 17, 2026 12:00 AM - 01:00 AM Singapore (SGT)

CED Policy Watch

May 22, 2026 12:00 AM - 01:00 AM Singapore (SGT)

CED Policy Watch

June 19, 2026 12:00 AM - 01:00 AM Singapore (SGT)

CED Policy Watch

July 17, 2026 12:00 AM - 01:00 AM Singapore (SGT)

CED Policy Watch

September 18, 2026 12:00 AM - 01:00 AM Singapore (SGT)

CED Policy Watch

October 16, 2025 12:00 AM - October 16, 2026 01:00 AM Singapore (SGT)

CED Policy Watch

November 20, 2026 01:00 AM - 02:00 AM Singapore (SGT)

CED Policy Watch

December 11, 2026 01:00 AM - 02:00 AM Singapore (SGT)

On-Demand Webcasts

CEO Roundtable: Policy Priorities for 2026

December 12, 2025 01:00 AM - 02:00 AM Singapore (SGT)

Navigating the New Health Care Landscape

November 21, 2025 01:00 AM - 02:00 AM Singapore (SGT)

Race for the Future: Can America Hold Its Edge in Science and Technology?

October 17, 2025 12:00 AM - 01:00 AM Singapore (SGT)

The Supreme Court’s New Term: Implications for Business

September 19, 2025 12:00 AM - 01:00 AM Singapore (SGT)

Child Care as a Workforce Strategy: The Employer's Role in Driving Access

August 22, 2025 12:00 AM - 01:00 AM Singapore (SGT)

America In Perspective. 6 Months In…So What? And What Next.

July 18, 2025 12:00 AM - 01:00 AM Singapore (SGT)

Responding to US Labor Shortages

June 20, 2025 12:00 AM - 01:00 AM Singapore (SGT)

A Shifting Global Landscape: What Lies Ahead?

May 16, 2025 12:00 AM - 01:00 AM Singapore (SGT)

Sustainable Energy Independence

April 18, 2025 12:00 AM - 01:00 AM Singapore (SGT)

Are We Educating the Workforce of the Future?

March 25, 2025 11:00 PM - March 26, 2025 12:00 AM Singapore (SGT)

Financial Services: What Next from the New Administration?

March 21, 2025 12:00 AM - 01:00 AM Singapore (SGT)

Reforming the Broken Federal Budget Process

February 21, 2025 01:00 AM - 02:00 AM Singapore (SGT)

America in Perspective: The First 100 Days

January 24, 2025 01:00 AM - 02:00 AM Singapore (SGT)

Economics of Child Care and Early Learning Investments

January 17, 2025 01:00 AM - 02:00 AM Singapore (SGT)

CEO Roundtable: Policy Priorities for 2025

December 13, 2024 01:00 AM - 02:00 AM Singapore (SGT)

Modernizing Health Programs for Fiscal Sustainability and Quality

November 21, 2024 01:00 AM - 02:00 AM Singapore (SGT)

Strategic Investment in Infrastructure: Priorities for Implementation

October 18, 2024 12:00 AM - 01:00 AM Singapore (SGT)

The Future of Regulatory Law

September 20, 2024 12:00 AM - 01:00 AM Singapore (SGT)

Postsecondary Pathways for the Workforce of Tomorrow

August 28, 2024 12:00 AM - 01:00 AM Singapore (SGT)

Role of Child Care in Economic Development

July 19, 2024 12:00 AM - 01:00 AM Singapore (SGT)

Principles for US AI Guardrails: Security, Safety, and Innovation

June 21, 2024 12:00 AM - 01:00 AM Singapore (SGT)

CEO Roundtable: Policy Priorities for 2026

December 12, 2025 01:00 AM - 02:00 AM Singapore (SGT)

Navigating the New Health Care Landscape

November 21, 2025 01:00 AM - 02:00 AM Singapore (SGT)

Race for the Future: Can America Hold Its Edge in Science and Technology?

October 17, 2025 12:00 AM - 01:00 AM Singapore (SGT)

This On-Demand Webcast is Complimentary.

WATCH NOW

Members can access materials for this events, but must be signed in. Please sign in to your myTCB® account to access.

Our records show that you are a Member of The Conference Board, but you do not have access to this webcast based on your Membership level. If you think you have reached this message in error, please contact membership@tcb.org

Our records show you are not a Member, and this webcast is only available to Members. If you think you have reached this message in error, please contact membership@tcb.org

You are an SSO user. Please try to login through your company portal.

Conference Board Sample Web Chat
chatbot-Icon
TCB Logo
chatbot-Icon
C-Suite Insights - Stay updated on the biggest issues facing business executives.
ABOUT US
  • Who We Are
  • Our History
  • Our Experts
  • Our Leadership
  • In the News
  • Press Releases
EXPLORE
  • Membership
  • Centers
  • Councils
  • TCB Benchmarking
  • Ask TCB
  • Events
  • Webcasts
  • Podcasts
  • This Week @ TCB
 
  • Events
  • Webcasts
  • Podcasts
  • This Week @ TCB
CONTACT US
  • North America
    +1 212 759 0900
    customer.service@tcb.org
  • Europe/Africa/Middle East
    +32 2 675 5405
    brussels@tcb.org
  • Asia
    Hong Kong | +852 2804 1000
    Singapore | +65 8298 3403
    service.ap@tcb.org
CAREERS
  • See Open Positions
Terms Of Use | Privacy Policy | Event Code of Conduct | Trademarks
© 2026 The Conference Board Inc. All rights reserved. The Conference Board and torch logo are registered trademarks of The Conference Board.
The use of all The Conference Board data and materials is subject to the Terms of Use. Reprint requests are reviewed individually and may be subject to additional fees.The Conference Board reserves the right to deny any request.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Event Code of Conduct | Trademarks
© 2026 The Conference Board Inc. All rights reserved. The Conference Board and torch logo are registered trademarks of The Conference Board.
The use of all data from The Conference Board data and materials is subject to the Terms of Use. Reprint requests are reviewed individually and may be subject to additional fees.The Conference Board reserves the right to deny any request.

Thank you for signing up. You will now receive CEO Insights for What's Ahead every Wednesday morning. You can unsubscribe at any time or manage your preferences to receive more content from The Conference Board.

EVENT PORTAL

Forgot Password | Resend account confirmation

Important: Your Membership subscription payment is past due. We have not yet received your Membership payment. Please click the button below to pay your invoice.

Pay Invoice

Announcing The Conference Board AI Virtual Conference Series

Explore the Impact of AI on Your Business

Members receive complimentary registration - Learn more >>

SSO Portal Redirect

You will be redirected in 00:03 seconds.