The U.S. Congressional Budget Office projects that American economic growth will average only 1.7% annually over the next 30 years, marking the weakest sustained growth period in American history. The primary drivers of this projection are the mounting burden of federal debt, which is expected to reach 190% of GDP by 2056, and surging mandatory spending and interest costs, which will crowd out productive investment. House Budget Committee Chairman Jody Arrington warns that this fiscal trajectory, driven by "autopilot" welfare spending, is unsustainable and poses the greatest threat to national prosperity.