The advocacy group Concord Coalition has appointed former Representative Carolyn Bourdeaux to lead its newly formed initiative focused on addressing the nation’s $36 trillion debt.
Concord Action, the new branch, aims to mobilize grassroots efforts toward achieving a sustainable national budget. Bourdeaux, who serves as the group’s president and executive director, outlined plans to push Congress toward balancing the budget, emphasizing fiscal responsibility and discipline.
“We’re launching Concord Action to complement the work of the Concord Coalition and harness grassroots momentum on debt and deficit issues,” Bourdeaux stated. “Our goal is to shift the conversation in Congress and drive meaningful fiscal reforms in Washington.”
Bourdeaux represented Georgia’s 7th Congressional District for one term starting in 2021 and worked on bipartisan measures addressing budget concerns. She was also a member of the Blue Dog Task Force on Fiscal Responsibility and Government Reform, which promotes bipartisan approaches to reducing the federal deficit. Before her time in Congress, she led Georgia’s Senate Budget and Evaluation Office from 2007 to 2010, playing a key role in helping the Republican-controlled state legislature balance the budget during the 2008 financial crisis.
“I was the director of Georgia’s Senate Budget and Evaluation Office during the Great Recession,” she noted. “I helped balance Georgia’s budget during one of the worst financial crises in modern history. That experience showed me it’s possible. Working alongside Republican leadership, we passed budgets with broad bipartisan support. That same approach can work at the national level.”
Concord Action’s strategy includes a digital campaign, a newsletter to engage the public, and town halls to build grassroots momentum. Economic concerns remain a priority for many Americans, with inflation and financial stability shaping public sentiment.
As the nation faces another potential government shutdown and Congress begins budget talks for fiscal year 2026, Bourdeaux stressed the urgency of the initiative.
“The debt and deficit are major concerns right now,” she said. “We’ve all felt the impact of inflation and rising interest rates, making this a pressing issue for many Americans.”
Concord Action intends to push Congress to curb further debt accumulation and establish a more sustainable fiscal plan.
