US national debt surpasses 100% of GDP, sparking calls for constitutional debt limits.

The US national debt has exceeded 100% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) for the first time since World War II, reaching 100.2% at the end of March 2026. Economist Steve Hanke highlighted this milestone and urged for a constitutional debt brake to control federal borrowing. The Treasury's financial statement shows a negative net position of $41.72 trillion, with liabilities far exceeding assets. Despite economic growth, concerns remain over fiscal sustainability as interest payments on public debt nearly match major government spending areas like defense and education. This situation raises alarms about the long-term fiscal health of the US economy and the need for policy reforms.