Americans are sending a clear message to Washington as 2026 begins: fix the nation’s finances now.
A new survey reveals overwhelming bipartisan concern about the country’s $38 trillion national debt, with more than eight in ten voters calling for immediate congressional action.
The January 2026 index from the Peter G. Peterson Foundation shows 82% of voters agree lawmakers must dedicate more time to tackling the national debt.
The foundation’s fiscal confidence index registered at 51 out of 100, with 100 representing a neutral outlook.
This marks a six-point drop from January 2025, signaling growing voter anxiety about America’s financial trajectory.
The decline follows what the foundation describes as an extraordinarily turbulent fiscal year.
In 2025, the nation experienced its longest government shutdown on record, passed its most expensive reconciliation bill, and recorded its highest interest costs in history.
These developments have pushed fiscal concerns to center stage as the 2026 election cycle gets underway.
Fortune reported that Michael A. Peterson, CEO of the Peterson Foundation, connected voter concerns directly to pocketbook issues affecting everyday Americans.
He pointed to the relationship between rising debt and increased costs for families nationwide.
“As the new year begins, voters are understandably concerned about America’s fiscal direction,” Peterson said.
“The rapidly rising debt puts upward pressure on inflation and interest rates, driving up the cost of living and harming economic growth.”
Peterson made clear that candidates hoping to win elections this year cannot ignore fiscal issues.
He stressed the importance of engaging voters with concrete solutions to stabilize the debt and strengthen the economy for years ahead.
The survey reveals remarkable agreement across party lines on the importance of addressing the debt.
Seventy-nine percent of voters say reducing the debt should rank among the top three priorities for both the president and Congress.
Republican voters show the strongest support for debt reduction, with 89% calling it a top priority.
Among Democrats, 75% share this view.
Independent voters register at 70% agreement on the issue’s importance.
The foundation’s index measures three key areas: Concern, Priority and Expectations.
Each category receives equal weight in calculating the overall score.
The December 2025 results paint a troubling picture of voter sentiment across all metrics.
The Concern score came in at 49, indicating deep worry about the debt’s direction. The Priority score registered an exceptionally low 22, showing voters believe elected officials are falling far short of giving the issue adequate attention.
Americans want their leaders to make long-term debt reduction a high priority.
The Expectations score reached 80, revealing widespread pessimism about whether conditions will improve in coming years.
Voters appear doubtful that the debt situation will get better without significant policy changes.
