Recognizing the national debt as a threat to national security.

Recognizing the national debt as a threat to national security.

Whereas, in January 2025, the total public debt outstanding was more than $36,200,000,000,000, resulting in a total interest expense of more than $1,130,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2024;

Whereas, in January 2025, the total public debt as a percentage of gross domestic product was 120.87 percent;

Whereas, in January 2025, the debt owed per citizen was $104,780 and $323,045 per taxpayer;

Whereas the last balanced Federal budget was signed into law in 1997;

Whereas, in fiscal year 2024, Federal tax receipts totaled $5,082,000,000,000, but Federal outlays totaled $6,941,000,000,000, leaving the Federal Government with a 1-year deficit of $1,859,000,000,000;

Whereas, every year since the last balanced Federal budget was signed in 1997, Congress has failed to maintain a fiscally responsible budget and has typically relied on raising the debt ceiling;

Whereas the House of Representatives failed to pass a balanced budget for fiscal year 2024 and failed to restore regular order to the legislative process by not allowing Representatives to offer and debate amendments;

Whereas regular order permits the House of Representatives to separately debate and adopt all appropriations bills in a timely fashion and facilitates congressional oversight of Federal spending;

Whereas the Social Security and Medicare Boards of Trustees project that the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund will be depleted in 2033;

Whereas the Social Security and Medicare Boards of Trustees project that the Federal Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund will be depleted in 2034;

Whereas, without a targeted effort to balance the Federal budget, the credit rating of the United States is certain to continue to fall;

Whereas improvements in the business climate in populous countries, and aging populations around the world, will likely contribute to higher global interest rates;

Whereas more than $8,500,000,000,000 of Federal debt is owned by individuals not located in the United States, including more than $759,000,000,000 of which is owned by individuals in China;

Whereas China and the European Union are developing alternative payment systems to weaken the dominant position of the United States dollar as a reserve currency;

Whereas rapidly increasing interest rates will squeeze all policy priorities of the United States, including defense policy and foreign policy priorities;

Whereas, on April 12, 2018, former Secretary of Defense James Mattis warned that “any Nation that can’t keep its fiscal house in order eventually cannot maintain its military power”;

Whereas, on March 6, 2018, former Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats warned: “Our continued plunge into debt is unsustainable and represents a dire future threat to our economy and to our national security”;

Whereas, on November 15, 2017, former Secretaries of Defense Leon Panetta, Ash Carter, and Chuck Hagel warned: “Increase in the debt will, in the absence of a comprehensive budget that addresses both entitlements and revenues, force even deeper reductions in our national security capabilities”; and

Whereas, on September 22, 2011, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Michael Mullen warned: “I believe the single, biggest threat to our national security is debt”: Now, therefore, be it

Resolved, That the House of Representatives—

(1) recognizes that the national debt is a threat to the national security of the United States;

(2) realizes that deficits are unsustainable, irresponsible, and dangerous;

(3) commits to restoring regular order in the appropriations process; and

(4) commits to addressing the fiscal crisis faced by the United States.