National Debt Poses Challenges for Average Taxpayers

UC professor and former Senator discuss growing debt and its impact on federal programs

Mar. 27, 2026 at 3:57am

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The United States' growing $39 trillion national debt is affecting people in surprising ways, according to a University of Cincinnati professor and former U.S. Senator who spoke on WVXU's Cincinnati Edition. They discussed how the debt is driving up interest rates, impacting inflation and jobs, and threatening the solvency of programs like Social Security that many Americans depend on.

Why it matters

The national debt is an issue that touches the lives of average taxpayers in significant ways, from higher costs of living to uncertainty about the future of critical social safety net programs. As the debt continues to grow, it will require tough political choices about raising taxes, cutting services, or finding other solutions to put the country on a more sustainable fiscal path.

The details

UC College of Arts and Sciences Professor Andrew Lewis, executive director of the Portman Center for Policy Solutions, and former U.S. Senator Rob Portman joined the Cincinnati Edition show to discuss the national debt crisis. They noted that the $39 trillion debt is "uncharted territory" that is already driving up interest rates and affecting inflation, jobs, and America's global standing. The debt also threatens the solvency of programs like Social Security, with the Social Security Trust Fund projected to be depleted as early as 2033.

  • The Portman Center for Policy Solutions will host a symposium on the national debt on March 30, 2026 at UC's Nippert West Pavilion.
  • The Social Security Trust Fund is projected to be depleted as early as 2033.

The players

Andrew Lewis

Professor at the UC College of Arts and Sciences and executive director of the Portman Center for Policy Solutions.

Rob Portman

Former U.S. Senator and the namesake of the Portman Center for Policy Solutions.

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What they’re saying

“This is uncharted territory. And it's driving up interest rates already. It affects inflation, jobs and America's standing in the world.”

— Rob Portman, Former U.S. Senator

“When you poll young people and ask if they think they will ever receive Social Security, they say no. These are serious problems we have to face as a country.”

— Rob Portman, Former U.S. Senator

“You're going to need to have buy-in from people to make this happen.”

— Andrew Lewis, Professor, UC College of Arts and Sciences

What’s next

The Portman Center for Policy Solutions will host a symposium on March 30, 2026 to address solutions to the national debt crisis.

The takeaway

The growing national debt poses significant challenges for average taxpayers, from higher costs of living to uncertainty about the future of critical social programs. Addressing this issue will require difficult political choices and buy-in from the public, but it is a problem that can no longer be ignored.