On the latest Facing the Future, I was joined by former Comptroller General of the United States, David M. Walker, Concord Coalition Executive Director, Robert L. Bixby, and Concord’s Policy Director, Tori Gorman. We discussed the latest COVID relief package, the idea of a Fiscal Sustainability Commission, and highlights from Walker’s latest book, “America in 2040: Still a Superpower?”

[Note: Portions of this week’s Facing the Future can be seen in the video clip posted below.]

Walker discussed his idea of  a Fiscal Sustainability Commission and how it could benefit long-term policy, and detailed portions of his book that explain the need for prioritization and planning in fiscal and economic policy.

“First, you need a plan,” Walker said. “The federal government has no strategic plan.”

“We need to recognize that what we’re trying to do is, we’re trying to maintain our position in the world and improve our situation at home,” he added. “If you don’t end up putting your finances in order, ultimately, you’re going to have major economic problems both domestically as well as the ripple effect implications internationally.”

“A lot of politicians don’t want to have a strategic plan,” Walker said. “Why? They don’t want to be held accountable for results.”

Bixby and Gorman discussed where the COVID-19 relief bill stands and how the reconciliation process is likely to wrap up, including whether another reconciliation bill could be on the horizon.

Hear more on Facing the Future. I host the program each week on WKXL, NHTalkRadio.com (N.H.), and it is also available via podcast. Join me and my guests as we discuss issues relating to national fiscal policy with budget experts, industry leaders, and elected officials. Past broadcasts are available here. You can subscribe to the podcast on Spotify, Pandora, iTunes, Google Podcasts, Stitcher or with an RSS feed. Follow Facing the Future on Facebook, and watch videos from past episodes on The Concord Coalition YouTube channel.