119-hres631

[Congressional Bills 119th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 631 Introduced in House

    (IH) ]

<DOC>

119th CONGRESS
 1st Session
H. RES. 631

 Recognizing the national debt as a threat to national security.

_______________________________________________________________________

 IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

 August 5, 2025

Mr. Biggs of Arizona (for himself, Mr. Donalds, Mr. Gosar, Mr. Webster 
of Florida, and Mr. Newhouse) submitted the following resolution; which 
 was referred to the Committee on the Budget, and in addition to the 
Committee on Ways and Means, for a period to be subsequently determined 
 by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as 
 fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned

_______________________________________________________________________

 RESOLUTION

 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.
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