McLean County Times

Illinois Second Congressional District Candidate Ashley Ramos commented on the national debt, stating, "We need new representation and common sense solutions!" She made the statement in a July 26 Facebook post.

"Today the national debt hit 35 trillion and climbing," said Ramos, according to Facebook. "This is not including non secured liabilities. Not hearing anything about that on the mainstream. We need new representation and common sense solutions!"

The financial milestone that Ramos referenced occurred on July 26. According to Yahoo Finance, "a daily Treasury Department tabulation, which was then compiled and released late Monday, showed a gross debt level of $35.001278 trillion." Yahoo Finance noted that although the national debt rose more than 75% during the Trump and Biden presidencies, it is not a topic frequently raised in the current campaign season. The report says the national debt rose by nearly $8 trillion during former President Donald Trump’s tenure, and President Joe Biden is on pace to have a similar rise.

Screenshot of Ashley Ramos for Illinois' July 26 Facebook post | Ashley Ramos for Illinois Facebook page

The U.S. Treasury explains that the national debt allows the government to pay for programs and services. "The national debt is the amount of money the federal government has borrowed to cover the outstanding balance of expenses incurred over time. In a given fiscal year (FY), when spending (ex. money for roadways) exceeds revenue (ex. money from federal income tax), a budget deficit results. To pay for this deficit, the federal government borrows money by selling marketable securities such as Treasury bonds, bills, notes, floating rate notes, and Treasury inflation-protected securities (TIPS). The national debt is the accumulation of this borrowing along with associated interest owed to the investors who purchased these securities. As the federal government experiences reoccurring deficits, which is common, the national debt grows," states the US Treasury in its finance guide focused on the national debt.

It also explains that the US national debt comprises distinct types of debt, including marketable and non-marketable securities, public debt, and intragovernmental debt. The Treasury also notes that US having debt is not a new concept – saying that debts incurred during the American Revolutionary War amounted to $75 million from domestic investors and the French government.

Ramos resides in Bradley and has roots in Chicago Heights. She spent her formative years in Momence. In 2005, she completed her education at Bradley Bourbonnais Community High School and pursued radiology courses at Kankakee Community College, according to her campaign website.

Ramos is an e-commerce specialist and mother who holds a notary license and is certified in CPR. Among her policy positions are Second Amendment rights.

"The Right to Bear Arms was created to prevent a tyrannical government overtaking power of the people," Ramos stated on her website. "No politician, especially those who have their own taxpayer-funded security detail, should be lecturing us about why we need to give up our 2nd Amendment Right."