Congress
How does Congress react to budget deficit projections?
On April 10, the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center hosted a discussion on America’s debt and how we can better invest in the future. William Gale, the co-director of the Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center, presented an overview of his new book, “Fiscal Therapy: Curing America’s Debt Addiction and Investing in the Future,” as part of the fourth annual Lubick Symposium. In his book, Gale explains that America faces two distinct but related challenges that policymakers must address in the coming years: tackling rising government debt while also restructuring taxes and spending for a more equitable and growth-oriented society. A keynote address and panel discussion deepened the conversation by addressing the following:
- How should we respond to growing fiscal challenges and still build a better future for ourselves, our children, and future generations?
- How can the government control entitlement spending while fighting poverty and enhancing social insurance?
- What policy measures could raise investment in human and physical capital, boost economic mobility, and reduce inequality?
- How should we reform taxes and raise revenues to finance government?
Book presentation
Panel discussion
Agenda
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April 10
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Welcome and introduction
David Wessel Director - The Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy, Senior Fellow - Economic Studies @davidmwessel -
Keynote address
Douglas Elmendorf Harvard University Distinguished Service Professor - Harvard Kennedy School -
Book presentation
William G. Gale Senior Fellow - Economic Studies, The Arjay and Frances Fearing Miller Chair in Federal Economic Policy, Co-Director - Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center -
Panel discussion
Moderator
David Wessel Director - The Hutchins Center on Fiscal and Monetary Policy, Senior Fellow - Economic Studies @davidmwesselPanelist
Douglas Elmendorf Harvard University Distinguished Service Professor - Harvard Kennedy School
William G. Gale Senior Fellow - Economic Studies, The Arjay and Frances Fearing Miller Chair in Federal Economic Policy, Co-Director - Urban-Brookings Tax Policy Center
Maya MacGuineas President - Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget
Michael R. Strain Arthur F. Burns Scholar in Political Economy and Director of Economic Policy Studies - American Enterprise Institute @MichaelRStrain
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