The COVID-19 pandemic and the shut-downs necessary to control the spread of the virus have brought on a sudden and dramatic drop in economic activity and an unprecedented fiscal policy response. Have the policy measures already put in place been effective? Is more or different policy needed? Should we be concerned about the effects of these policies on federal deficits and debt—and how might these short-term measures end up altering the challenge of and prospects for achieving fiscal sustainability over the longer term?

Speakers:

William Gale, Brookings Institution

Keith Hennessey, Stanford University

Moderator: Diane Lim, Penn Wharton Budget Model