Press Releases

(Washington, DC) – U.S. Representative Ed Case (D-HI-01) today announced that his 47-Member U.S. House Problem Solvers Caucus (PSC; https://problemsolverscaucus.house.gov/) has released its Fiscal Stability Framework to reverse the rapid deterioration of the nation’s fiscal condition. 

“Our federal budget continues on an increasingly unstable and unsustainable trajectory,” said Case, who serves as Vice Chair of the PSC and as Co-Chair, with Rep. Chuck Edwards (R-NC-11), of the PSC Budget, Tax, Appropriations, Debt & Deficit Working Group, which developed the framework.   

“Not only common financial sense, but every metric – annual deficits, total debt, growth in total debt, debt-to-GDP ratio, interest payments as a percentage of debt and GDP, interest payments as the now-largest share of the federal discretionary budget and even larger than defense, and more – all paint a bleak and deteriorating picture that places our economy, national security and critical programs at great risk. 

According to a recent report by the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee, the gross national debt is now at $38.40 trillion, with the increase in gross national debt over the past year amounting to $6,566.84 per person or $16,574.81 per household while total gross national debt amounts to $112,881 per person or $284,914 per household.

Interest on the national debt is now the largest single expenditure in the federal discretionary budget, which is allocated annually by the House Committee on Appropriations, on which Case is serving his eighth year.

The press release from the Problem Solvers Caucus on adoption of the framework can be found here and below:

Problem Solvers Caucus Endorses Bipartisan Fiscal Stability Framework

January 7, 2026 

Press Release

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, the Problem Solvers Caucus announced its endorsement of a bipartisan fiscal stability framework to address the nation’s growing national debt and restore long-term fiscal sustainability.

With national debt exceeding $38 trillion and annual interest costs now surpassing defense spending, the current trajectory of federal spending is unsustainable.

The framework calls for the creation of a bipartisan fiscal commission to develop recommendations to stabilize our country’s finances. It endorses the Fiscal Commission Act (H.R.3289) and the Sustainable Budget Act (H.R.222) as legislative vehicles to advance this effort and urges the House Budget Committee to advance them to markup.

Under both bills, once the fiscal commission makes its recommendations, Congress would be required to consider them through a fast-track process.

With this framework, the Problem Solvers Caucus hopes to encourage bipartisan, bicameral action to confront the nation's long-term fiscal challenges before they become even more difficult to address. This proposal was developed by the PSC Budget, Tax, Appropriations, Debt & Deficit Working Group, led by Reps. Ed Case (HI-01) and Chuck Edwards (NC-11).

The framework is available below:

• With national debt and debt-to-GDP at record levels and annual interest on the debt now exceeding even defense, we must act now to restore fiscal stability.
• We endorse a bipartisan, inclusive fiscal commission to deliberate and provide Congress with clear options to do so.
• We endorse H.R.3289, the Fiscal Commission Act, and H.R.222, the Sustainable Budget Act, as vehicles to advance fiscal stability.
• We urge the Committee on the Budget to hear and advance H.R.222 and H.R.3289 and other legislative proposals to create a fiscal commission and otherwise pursue fiscal stability.

“Our federal budget continues on an increasingly unstable and unsustainable trajectory,” said Working Group Co-Chair and PSC Vice Chair Congressman Ed Case (HI-01).

“Not only common financial sense, but every metric – annual deficits, total debt, growth in total debt, debt-to-GDP ratio, interest payments as a percentage of debt and GDP, interest payments as the now-largest share of the federal discretionary budget and larger even than defense, and more - all paint a bleak and deteriorating picture that places our economy, national security and critical programs at great risk.

“Denial and pretending there is any one silver bullet can no longer be a policy; we clearly need help in charting a real return to fiscal stability. We urge creation of a bipartisan, inclusive fiscal commission to deliberate and provide Congress with clear options to do so and urge our House Committee on the Budget to consider various bipartisan proposals and advance a proposed commission on a bipartisan basis as a matter of urgency.”

“As a businessman, I learned early that spending more than you take in year after year eventually leads to serious consequences. With our national debt now exceeding $37 trillion and interest costs squeezing out critical priorities, it’s time to put politics aside, face the facts, and chart a responsible path forward,” said Working Group Co-Chair Congressman Chuck Edwards (NC-11).

“The bipartisan Fiscal Stability Framework brings accountability, common sense, and long-term thinking back to the budgeting process.”

“Our massive national debt, the highest in history, keeps interest rates high so people can’t buy homes or cars. A bipartisan fiscal commission is the responsible way to take partisan politics out of the process and put real solutions on the table with the sense of urgency they deserve." said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Tom Suozzi (NY-03). "Restoring fiscal discipline and protecting our economic future in a bipartisan manner is exactly the kind of work the Problem Solvers Caucus was created to do, and our Caucus is proud to endorse.”

“Our debt is growing faster than our willingness to confront it—and that is a risk we can no longer afford,” said Problem Solvers Caucus Co-Chair Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01).

“The Problem Solvers Caucus exists because serious problems demand serious, bipartisan solutions. A fiscal commission provides a responsible path forward—grounded in facts, insulated from political gamesmanship, and focused on long-term stability. This is about two-party, patriotic, common-sense governing—taking responsibility for our finances now so we preserve America’s strength, security, and economic freedom for the next generation.”

“The nation’s fiscal outlook is deteriorating, and ignoring the problem only makes the situation harder to solve. Addressing our growing debt will not be easy, but a bipartisan fiscal commission would create a forum for serious, cross-party dialogue and help pave the way toward a more sustainable fiscal future. We commend the Problem Solvers Caucus for recognizing the urgency of the moment and putting forward a Fiscal Stability Framework that recognizes the debt as a serious threat and calls for the creation of a bipartisan fiscal commission,” said Maya MacGuineas, President of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.

“America’s fiscal challenges did not appear overnight, nor were they caused by any one party – and that’s why we need a thoughtful, comprehensive and bipartisan process that puts everything on the table to address the structural drivers of our debt.”

“The Problem Solvers Caucus deserves credit for leading on this issue, and polling shows that Americans strongly agree. Overwhelming majorities of voters support the creation of a bipartisan fiscal commission to stabilize our national debt, including more than 90% of Republicans and 90% of Democrats,” said Brett Loper, Executive Director of Peterson Solutions Fund.

“The growing national debt is already raising costs for American families and risks further weakening the U.S. economy if Congress fails to act,” said Michele Stockwell, President of BPC Action.

“BPC Action applauds the Problem Solvers Caucus for backing a national fiscal commission and urges leaders in both parties to move this legislation forward.”

“Congress should review and update activities throughout the federal budget. A well-designed fiscal commission like the Fiscal Commission Act or the Sustainable Budget Act can help Congress rebuild trust, start looking at everything, and move toward more responsible stewardship. Ideally, it would lay the foundation for Congress to embrace a more holistic and effective regular order for budgeting,” said Kurt Couchman, Senior Fellow in Fiscal Policy for Americans for Prosperity.

“The U.S. deserves better than an ever-rising mountain of debt that threatens our economic stability. On behalf of our 100,000 advocates for fiscal sanity, we thank the Problem Solvers Caucus for their leadership in endorsing a fiscal commission whose debt-reduction plan would receive an up or down vote in Congress,” said Carolyn Bourdeaux, Executive Director of Concord Action.

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The Problem Solvers Caucus is a group of Members of Congress — split between Republicans and Democrats — committed to advancing common-sense solutions to key issues facing our nation.