“Debt will run this country, not us": Lawmaker sounds the alarm on the nation’s debt

An Arizona lawmaker has a strong warning about our nation’s debt and the ability to pay.

Representative David Schweikert says things are escalating and he warns it is getting serious.

“How does this committee produce policy that says we’re not going to raise taxes on working people? We need our small businesses to be hitting a new productivity curve because that’s how we survive. But at the same time, how do we thread the needle and communicate to the world debt markets that we’re serious? Please don’t keep raising our interest rates because at this moment, if where the interest rates are going, just that increase of going to a five handle is double the cost of extending all these tax provisions. Understand if we don’t get this right, the debt and bond markets are going to run this country not us.”

Schweikert says the nation’s debt is up almost a full point since December. Farm CPA’s also spoke this week before the powerful House Ways and Means Committee. They have urged lawmakers to not let the Trump tax cuts expire. House Speaker Mike Johnson also said recently that they are a top priority for his office.

Related Stories
Row crop losses in 2025 are outpacing last year. With no disaster aid yet approved, many operations face a tough financial bridge to 2026 even as Farm Bill improvements remain a year away.
Experts say farmers and ethanol producers would benefit from a risk-based ILUC system that protects forests without relying on speculative modeling.
The White House is now preparing to restore an Endangered Species Act (ESA) rule from the first Trump Administration.
Mary-Thomas Hart, with the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, discusses the latest WOTUS developments and their implications for agriculture.
A massive rail merger could significantly impact North American agriculture and trade flows.
Urea and phosphate see the biggest price relief from tariff exemptions, but nitrogen markets remain tight, and spring demand will still dictate pricing momentum.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

China continues to buy U.S. soybeans toward its 12 MMT commitment, as analysts cite data gaps, delivery timing questions, and muted market reaction.
FarmHER Nikki Boxler, aka The Maple Farmer, blends tradition with innovation, tapping into a bold new future for maple syrup.
As the new year begins, both farmers and rural families are taking stock of their finances and planning ahead for 2026.
Trade uncertainty—especially regarding soybeans—continues to weigh on future outlooks, even as farm finances and land values remain resilient.
Sen. Deb Fischer reintroduces the HAULS Act to update hours-of-service exemptions and definitions affecting livestock and agricultural haulers. She joins us on Market Day Report to share more about her proposed legislation.
Strong crush demand and rising ethanol production are pressuring feedstocks, as traders monitor storage risks and supply chain uncertainty and await the upcoming January WASDE report.