NW Valley Times

U.S. Congressman David Schweikert addressed students at Grand Canyon University (GCU) on Monday, urging them to "think disruptively" in tackling future challenges. His speech was part of the Public Square Series, a set of discussions featuring prominent figures discussing public policy issues.

Schweikert highlighted concerns about the U.S. debt and the financial burdens facing younger generations. He questioned, “What is the greatest threat to your generation?” and introduced students to the concept of "cross-generational wealth transfer," where current college-age individuals are responsible for debts incurred by older generations.

He stated that Congress relies on borrowed money for every decision, predicting that when today's students reach their peak earning years, taxes may need to double just to maintain current standards. Schweikert warned that by then, national borrowing could reach $124 trillion.

Discussing government spending priorities, he noted that Social Security tops the list, followed by interest payments and Medicare, with defense as the fourth largest expenditure. “The math is brutal,” Schweikert said, emphasizing these numbers transcend political affiliations.

Balancing the budget would require drastic measures such as eliminating military spending or cutting significant portions of Medicare—a challenge given societal commitments like Social Security and Medicare benefits for retirees.

In health care discussions, Schweikert pointed out that diabetes and obesity account for significant portions of health care costs—33% and 47%, respectively—and mentioned technological innovations like a $7 sensor for early sepsis detection which face lobbying resistance despite potential cost savings.

He stressed the importance of innovation in reducing health care expenses but acknowledged economic implications for industries reliant on treating these conditions. Schweikert also addressed workforce issues linked to drug use and obesity among working-age men.

Encouraging civic engagement among students was Jonah Rominski from GCU’s Canyon Civic Institute. The institute organizes events like voter registration drives and community outreach efforts while hosting various speakers throughout the year.

Upcoming talks in the series will feature T.J. Mitchell from Maricopa County District 3 Supervisor Bill Gates’ office on October 17; Andrea Marconi from Fennimore Craig on October 21; and Steve Trussell from Arizona Mining and Rock Products on October 28—all scheduled at GCU's Engineering Building.

For further information regarding internal communications at GCU, contact Lana Sweeten-Shults via email or phone provided above.