The US debt is now projected to be larger than the US economy

As the United States continues its struggle with the pandemic-induced economic recession and a sputtering recovery, the country's burgeoning debt is not anyone's top concern these days.

Even deficit hawks are urging a dysfunctional Washington and a chaotic White House to approve another round of badly needed stimulus to the tune of trillions.

"The US federal budget is on an unsustainable path, has been for some time," Federal Reserve Chairman Jerome Powell said this week. But, Powell added, "This is not the time to give priority to those concerns."

However, when the country eventually pulls out of its current health and economic crises, Americans will be left with a debt hangover.

On Thursday, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that for fiscal year 2020, which ended September 30, the US deficit hit $3.13 trillion -- or 15.2% of GDP -- thanks to the chasm between what the country spent ($6.55 trillion) and what it took in ($3.42 trillion) for the year.