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The article says the U.S. national debt held by the public has surpassed the size of the entire U.S. economy: on March 31, it was about **$31.27 trillion**, slightly higher than **nominal GDP of $31.22 trillion**. It notes this pushes the **debt-to-GDP ratio over 100%**, breaking the former record of **106%** last seen in **1946** after World War II. <\/p>\n

it also cites forecasts from the **Congressional Budget Office** that debt held by the public could reach **108% by 2030** and **120% within a decade**, and includes concern from fiscal policy advocates that the increase reflects political failure<\/a> to make difficult budget decisions. The piece adds that the **overall national debt has climbed above $39 trillion**, rising by about **$1 trillion in just five months**, and argues that higher debt can weaken future prosperity through higher interest costs and related economic pressures. <\/p>\n