As the United States enters 2026, the national mood regarding the country’s balance sheet is sour. Following a tumultuous 2025, marked by historic government shutdowns and record spending, a new report indicates that the vast majority of the electorate is demanding immediate legislative attention to the nation’s financial health—and, in particular, its $38 trillion national debt.
According to the January 2026 index sponsored by the nonpartisan Peter G. Peterson Foundation, released Wednesday, 82% of voters agree that lawmakers must spend more time addressing the national debt. The index is 51 (with 100 being neutral), six points lower than January 2025 — indicating that voters want to address the unsustainable national debt and budget outlook.
