Speaking at Weber State University for Sutherland Institute’s Congressional Series event, Rep. Blake Moore called for more focus on fiscal responsibility.

“We have a $6.2 trillion budget and about 4.5 trillion of revenue. That’s a massive gap – and it’s continuing to grow,” Moore told Derek Monson, Sutherland Institute’s chief growth officer.

Monson asked Moore how this deficit could best be communicated to voters about why they should be concerned.

“[This is] the best question I’ve ever had,” Moore joked. “I do a 20-minute slideshow at the start of every one of my town halls explaining where we came from, why we are where we are with this current fiscal situation, really explain the reality.”

Discussing how to rein in spending and reduce the deficit, Moore believes it’s time to make tough changes.

“[There are] government programs that were put in place and because it’s politically tumultuous to address them, they just get put on autopilot. Reform is a good word. Reform is something we shouldn’t be afraid to talk about.”

The representative went on to encourage voters to become more attentive to the national debt and the interest it’s accruing.

“There is no way that we can accept that debt doesn’t matter. That interest, in a few years, that we’re paying annually, will be higher than our defense budget.”

Moore clarified to those in attendance that the government’s budget today is far different from what it was years ago, making it a more difficult process to dial down.

“Our debt to GDP [ratio] is as high as it was for World War II. The problem that we have now is the programs that exist and the reasons for the debt aren’t as easily solvable as they were in post-World War II,” he said.

The congressman concluded on an optimistic note, highlighting the bipartisan work being done in Congress to ensure that America continues to succeed.

“There is a desire to make sure that the next generation has a path forward,” Moore said.

To watch the full videos from the Sutherland Congressional series, visit the event page.