Drowning in Debt: A National Security Risk

Maya MacGuineas, President of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, joins host Heidi Heitkamp to tackle the urgent issues of federal debt, government spending, and the economic challenges facing rural America. Together, they examine why fiscal responsibility matters, how national debt impacts everything from farm policy to national security, and what everyday citizens can do to demand change from their leaders.

Maya and Heidi will offer you a clearer understanding of the real-life consequences of rising deficits, including higher interest rates and lost economic opportunities. Listen for practical insights on how government debt can affect your family's finances, local communities, and the future strength of the nation.

Heidi and Joel also discuss current rural concerns—from shrinking farm markets to trade wars—and discuss how uncertainty in Washington translates to hardship in rural America. You will learn how community engagement and honest political action can help secure a brighter future for all.

Join us on The Hot Dish every other week, where we serve up hearty conversations that resonate with every corner of the country.
The Hot Dish is brought to you by the One Country Project, making sure the voices of the rest of us are heard in Washington. To learn more, visit https://onecountryproject.org or find us at https://onecountryproject.substack.com/.

• (00:00) - Maya MacGuineas joins to discuss federal budget and fiscal responsibility with host, Heidi Heitkamp.
• (08:36) - Heidi and Maya discuss the potential for a farm bailout and making debt relevant to everyday people.
• (13:21) - Maya and Heidi talk about the bond sales, US Treasuries, and looming fiscal warning signs.
• (25:18) - Joel Heitkamp reports to Heidi about the Big Iron farm show, commodity markets, and equipment sales.
• (27:57) - Heidi and Joel debate the ongoing trade war, impacts on soybean markets, and rural economic uncertainty.