“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
With record grain harvests and rising global ethanol demand, leaders across the ag and energy sectors are pushing for year-round E15 sales to mitigate the strain on grain trade.
Pork producers warn that proposed definitions of “ultra-processed” food in guidelines from the “Make America Healthy Again” plan could negatively impact industry-standard bacon, sausage, and feed practices.
Concerns over Chronic Wasting Disease are fueling a long-standing legal battle between Minnesota regulators and deer farmers. The case could soon reach the state’s Supreme Court with broader implications for agriculture.
The National Cattlemen’s Beef Association (NCBA) and Public Lands Council (PLC) are praising the passage of a bill to delist gray wolves as an endangered species by the U.S. House last week.
USDA Undersecretary Luke Lindberg told RFD-TV News that we can only guess what Congress will do down the road. Still, the USDA recognizes its responsibility to spend resources efficiently and effectively.
Farm CPA Paul Neiffer outlines the key difference between previous ECAP payments and the Farm Bridge Assistance Program.

LATEST STORIES BY THIS AUTHOR:

HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy calls on cattle producers to retain breeding cows while Ivomec receives emergency authorization to prevent New World screwworm.
SharkFarmer host Rob Sharkey takes us on a tour of the John Deere showcase on the trade show floor of CattleCon 2026 in Nashville.
Twisted Skillet’s Cantina Peanuts are a crispy bar snack made with raw Spanish peanuts, fried up with garlic, chile de árbol, and crunchy tortilla bits, creating a classic, savory Mexican “botana” or appetizer.
Ranchbot Monitoring Solutions provides remote water-monitoring technology to help ranchers manage livestock water more efficiently.
Jones Hamilton Company shares insights on herd health, efficiency, and innovation for cattle producers this year at NCBA CattleCon in Nashville.
Lewis Williamson with HTS Commodities discusses current farmer sentiment, trade considerations, and the market factors shaping the outlook for the upcoming planting season.