Can the U.S. ‘Grow’ Its Way Out of Debt? + Taxing Wealth in the Age of AI

The Spillover · Sep 10, 2026 · 52m

This week, host Rebecca Patterson speaks with Natasha Sarin, law professor and cofounder of the Yale Budget Lab, to unpack Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s claim that the United States can grow its way out of record debt, and whether AI can deliver the growth, jobs, and tax revenue needed to make that happen.

Host:

Rebecca Patterson, Senior Fellow, Council on Foreign Relations (CFR)

Guest:

Natasha Sarin, Professor of Law and Cofounder, The Yale Budget Lab

Mentioned on the Episode:

Natasha Sarin, “No Wonder Everyone’s Rallying Around This Terrible Idea,” New York Times

“Scott Bessent Says US…