Former Congresswoman Carolyn Bourdeaux Spearheads New Fiscal Responsibility Group to Tackle National Debt
The Concord Coalition, a non-partisan advocacy organization focused on fiscal responsibility, has announced the launch of a new initiative, Concord Action, aimed at addressing the nation’s ballooning $36 trillion national debt. To lead this ambitious endeavor, the organization has tapped former U.S. Representative Carolyn Bourdeaux, a Democrat from Georgia, as its president and executive director.
Bourdeaux, who represented Georgia’s 7th Congressional District from 2021 to 2023, brings a wealth of experience and a demonstrated commitment to fiscal prudence to her new role. During her time in Congress, she actively participated in bipartisan efforts to address the national debt crisis, serving as a member of the Blue Dog Task Force on Fiscal Responsibility and Government Reform. This group is dedicated to reducing the federal deficit through collaborative policy development.
In an exclusive interview with Fox News Digital, Bourdeaux outlined Concord Action’s strategic plan to exert pressure on Congress to prioritize balancing the budget. The organization intends to mobilize grassroots support and leverage public awareness to influence legislative decisions.
"We are getting ready to launch Concord Action, which will complement the Concord Coalition and is intended to build on all the grassroots energy out there around the debt and deficit, to try to start moving the needle in Congress to bring fiscal responsibility and fiscal discipline to Washington," Bourdeaux stated.
Bourdeaux’s commitment to fiscal responsibility extends beyond her time in Congress. Prior to her election, she served as the director of Georgia’s Senate Budget and Evaluation Office from 2007 to 2010. During the tumultuous economic period of the Great Recession, she played a crucial advisory role in helping the Georgia State Senate balance its budget.
"I was director of Georgia’s Senate Budget and Evaluation Office during the Great Recession," Bourdeaux explained. "I helped Georgia balance its budget during the worst fiscal crisis in modern memory. One message coming out of that is it can be done. I was working largely with the Republican leadership to balance the budget. But when we did that, those budgets passed by broad and bipartisan majorities. So this can be done through our regular democratic processes. I want to bring that sensibility to what we’re working on here in Concord."
Bourdeaux’s experience in Georgia highlights the potential for bipartisan cooperation in addressing fiscal challenges. She emphasized that achieving a balanced budget is not an impossible feat, even during times of economic hardship.
To engage the public and build momentum for its cause, Concord Action plans to launch a digital campaign, featuring a newsletter to keep supporters informed and involved. The organization also intends to host town hall meetings to foster dialogue and build support at the local level. These grassroots initiatives will be instrumental in amplifying the message of fiscal responsibility and holding elected officials accountable.
The launch of Concord Action comes at a critical juncture, as the nation grapples with a growing national debt and economic uncertainty. A recent 2024 Fox News Voter Analysis revealed that the economy remains a top concern for American voters, with inflation being a primary driver of their voting decisions. The survey also indicated widespread dissatisfaction with the current state of the economy, with a majority of voters expressing negative sentiments.
As Congress prepares for upcoming budget negotiations for fiscal year 2026 and faces another looming government shutdown deadline, Bourdeaux believes that the time is ripe for Concord Action to make its presence felt.
"I think the issue of the debt and deficit is particularly salient to everyone," Bourdeaux said. "We’ve obviously just been through inflation. We’ve seen interest rates rise. So it really is top of mind for lots of Americans right now."
Concord Action’s primary objective is to pressure Congress to adopt a more fiscally responsible approach, halting the accumulation of further debt and establishing a sustainable national budget. The organization aims to achieve this through a combination of public advocacy, grassroots mobilization, and engagement with policymakers.
"We just experienced some pretty serious inflation, and it was driven in part by the deficit in the growing debt," Bourdeaux asserted. "We are $36 trillion in debt right now just based on our current trajectory. The Congressional Budget Office thinks we will add another $25 trillion to that. We are spending more on just the interest on debt than we spend on national defense, more than we even spend on Medicare. It’s really starting to put a lot of pressure on a lot of big priorities that we have for this country. It is extremely important that we address this now."
The sheer magnitude of the national debt and the escalating costs of servicing it pose significant challenges to the nation’s economic stability and its ability to invest in essential programs and services. Concord Action hopes to bring awareness to the long-term implications of unchecked debt accumulation and to advocate for responsible fiscal policies that will ensure a more secure future for generations to come.
By combining Bourdeaux’s expertise, the Concord Coalition’s established reputation, and a robust grassroots strategy, Concord Action is poised to become a leading voice in the national debate on fiscal responsibility. The organization’s success will depend on its ability to effectively engage the public, build bipartisan support, and persuade Congress to take decisive action to address the nation’s debt crisis.
