Study Group with Asa Hutchinson: Executive Leadership: Fiscal Sanity and Sustainability

Registration is Closed

Is it possible to control federal spending when it is not a focus of the presidential candidates? What structural changes are needed in Washington to assure our national debt does not crush our future? The federal budget was last balanced over 20 years ago. The current spending deficit is $1.9 trillion and the national debt is $35 trillion, which is $104,000 per person. For the first time in history, the interest on the national debt exceeds $1 trillion. As you graduate your generation will inherit an indebted America. We will discuss structural changes in Washington that will mandate that spending be taken seriously. 

Our guest, David Walker, was also a leader in the No Labels effort, and the potential of 3rd party candidates will be an added discussion item.

GUEST: Hon. David M. Walker, former U.S. Comptroller General and an internationally recognized fiscal responsibility, government transformation/accountability, and retirement security expert, will join resident fellow Governor Asa Hutchinson in-person for the October 10 session.

David Walker is a nationally and internationally recognized fiscal responsibility, government transformation/ accountability, and retirement security expert. He is a non-practicing CPA with over 40 years of executive level experience in the public, private and non-profit sectors, including heading three federal agencies (two ERISA agencies), two non-profits, and leading a global service line for Arthur Andersen LLP. His most recent full-time federal position was as the seventh Comptroller General of the United States and CEO of the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) for almost 10 years. This was one of his three Presidential appointments by Presidents from both political parties, with unanimous Senate confirmation each time. Dave also served as one of two Public Trustees for Social Security and Medicare from 1990-1995, and as the first Chairman of the Independent Audit Advisory Committee for the United Nations.

Most recently, David served as the Distinguished Visiting Professor and Crowe Chair at the U.S. Naval Academy where he taught the Economics of National Security. He currently serves on a number of government and non-profit Boards and Advisory Committees, including the Defense Business Board, as Chair of the Federal Fiscal Sustainability Foundation, and as a National Co-Founder of No Labels.

David is also a periodic speaker, writer and media commentator. He has authored four books, including a National Bestseller. His latest book is entitled "America in 2040: Still a Superpower (A Pathway to Success)" published by AuthorHouse in September of 2020 and an update self/published version was released in February 2024.

AUDIENCE: These conversations are open to members of the Harvard community. Please RSVP with a valid Harvard email address.

OFF-THE-RECORD: In keeping with our long tradition at the IOP to ensure honest and candid discussions of politics, all IOP study groups are off-the-record.