$34 trillion national debt called ‘our generation’s world war’

NEWS AND OPINION:

As of Wednesday, the national debt was $33,836,693,993,860.35, according to the U.S. Treasury, which updates this startling statistic through a helpful online feature titled “Debt to the Penny.”

So now you know.

In the meantime, the House Budget Committee got an earful from its chairman about the burden of this debt. Rep. Jodey Arrington offered statistics and warnings to fellow lawmakers Wednesday about the worrisome state of the U.S. economy — and potential disasters that lurk in our future.

“I believe this is the most significant challenge facing our nation in the 21st century — which is our runaway deficit spending and unsuitable nation debt that threatens not only our economy but our national security, our way of life, our leadership in the world, everything good about America’s influence and our children’ futures,” the Texas Republican warned.

The situation is “fragile,” he said, specifically citing a “120% debt to the GDP [gross domestic product] — the highest level of indebtedness in the history of our country, surpassing World War II. And we’re not at war.”

The faltering economy is more than just alarming, Mr. Arrington suggested.

“This is the 21st-century challenge for America. I believe this is our generation’s world war and the cost of losing this war will be catastrophic and irreparable. I have three children. I imagine many of you have children and grandchildren. They are counting on us to step up and be leaders, and work together to solve the problem,” the lawmaker said.

“If we don’t have this sense of urgency, if we don’t have a plan, and if we don’t exercise the political courage to execute that plan — we will be the first generation of leaders to fail to leave this country better than we found it,” Mr. Arrington continued.

“What a sad commentary. I refuse to accept it. I know you do too. This is not a Republican or Democratic problem. This is our collective problem to solve. It is a mathematical reality that will require real leadership on both sides of the aisle, and in both chambers,” he said.

A FEW STRAY NUMBERS

“Biden 2024? Most voters say, ‘no, Joe,’” says Rasmussen Reports, which offers the poll numbers on the subject.

“President Joe Biden is too old for the job, according to a majority of voters, who don’t think he should seek reelection next year,” the pollster said.

And the numbers: 54% of likely U.S. voters believe Mr. Biden is “too old to be president,” while 37% disagree with that assessment, with the rest undecided.

The survey of 996 likely voters was conducted Nov. 21, 26 and 27.

STEFANIK’S PREDICTION

So who will be the Republican nominee for president in 2024? House Republican Conference Chair Elise Stefanik had a quick answer.

“Donald Trump will be the nominee. I am proud to have endorsed Donald Trump. I was the first member of Congress to have endorsed Donald Trump. The polling shows the American people understand what we’ve seen in terms of leadership. We have weak leadership under Joe Biden,” Ms. Stefanik told Fox Business Network.

The New York Republican had more to say, though.

“The majority of American people no longer have faith in the American dream. 70% of the American people believe that Bidenomics, which the White House is touting, has been an abysmal failure,” Ms. Stefanik continued.

“When I talk to my constituents at home, inflation is crushing them. We came out of the most expensive Thanksgiving meal of our lifetime. American people are smart. That’s why we’re seeing strong polling for Trump,” she said.

FOXIFIED

Fox News dominated November by airing 90 of the month’s top 100 cable newscasts, according to Nielsen Media Research. The network drew 1.7 million daily prime-time viewers on average this month, and attracted 1.2 million in the daytime viewing hours.

The network is marking 34 consecutive months defeating its cable news competition in prime time.

The standout program for the month was “The Five,” which boasted an average daily audience of 2.9 million and has been rated the No. 1 show in cable news for over eight consecutive quarters. “Jesse Watters Primetime” followed with 2.6 million daily viewers, followed by “Hannity” (2.3 million), “Special Report” (2.2 million) and “The Ingraham Angle” (2.1 million).

UP IN NEW HAMPSHIRE

The Granite State continues to be a destination of choice for presidential hopefuls.

North Dakota Gov. Doug Burgum arrived in Manchester for an event Wednesday where he addressed the “future of conservatism” at an event organized by New Hampshire Young Republicans and New Hampshire College Republicans.

The candidate will make the short journey to the state capital of Concord on Friday to host a town meeting.

Former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie, meanwhile, is still making the rounds on the campaign trail as well. He’ll be back in New Hampshire on Thursday, set to spend an intense 48 hours wooing local voters and visiting Franklin Pierce University, Keene State College, New England College and the University of New Hampshire.

He’ll also host a town meeting with the New Hampshire State Employees’ Association in Concord, followed by a “Tell It Like It Is” town hall at a restaurant and bar.

On Friday, we find Mr. Christie at a “Politics and Pie” gathering hosted by the Concord GOP. The candidate also has a new motto these days: “Christie: Because the truth matters.”

POLL DU JOUR

• 67% of U.S. adults disapprove of the way President Biden is handling the U.S. economy.

• 66% disapprove of the way he is handling foreign affairs.

• 64% disapprove of the way he is handling the war between Israel and Hamas.

• 59% disapprove of the way he is handling his job as president overall.

• 58% disapprove of the way he is handling the situation in Ukraine.

• 57% disapprove of the way he handling U.S. health care policy.

SOURCE: A Gallup Poll of 1,013 U.S. adults based on telephone interviews conducted Nov. 1-21 and released Wednesday.

• Follow Jennifer Harper on X @HarperBulletin, on Facebook at HarperUniverse.