OKC Standard

Washington, D.C. – Congressman Josh Brecheen and Senator Rick Scott have introduced the Debt-Per-Citizen Transparency Act. This legislation mandates that all Congressional Budget Office (CBO) cost estimates include the impact on the debt-to-citizen ratio.

Congressman Brecheen emphasized the importance of this measure by stating, “With our national debt at more than $35 trillion, it is essential that lawmakers are made aware of how much legislation will affect the total debt-per-citizen ratio before voting on it.” He added, “Every child born today owes more than $104,000 as their share of our national debt. It is long past time we reverse this curse and stop stealing prosperity from our children and our grandchildren.”

Senator Scott echoed these concerns: “The national debt has reached an unsustainable $35+ trillion dollars and it is beyond time for some accountability to the American people. When you break it down, that works out to over $104,000 per child born today—we cannot continue to saddle our next generation with this debt. It is taking away their chance at the American Dream right before our eyes. I will not stand for it, and that is why I am introducing a bill that notifies Congress and the American people just how much a piece of legislation will impact the American people’s financial burden before they vote and continue to grow the debt-to-citizen ratio. They have a right to know.”

The bill's original cosponsors include Representatives Greg Lopez (R-CO) and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA), along with Senator Mike Braun (R-IN). The proposal has garnered support from groups such as Heritage Action and Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget.