America's debt is rising at an unprecedented rate. U.S. federal debt has nearly tripled in the past decade, and the ratio of debt to gross domestic product has doubled. U.S. economic woes have significant implications for the global economy and U.S. foreign policy and will likely require tackling the some of the thorniest issues in U.S. politics, taxes and entitlement spending. This section looks at challenges and potential policies for reducing the U.S. debt.

The Renewing America project focuses on six major challenges facing the United States: debt and deficits; infrastructure; education and human capital; corporate regulation and taxation; innovation; and international trade and investment.