III 

116TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION S. RES. 78 

Recognizing the national debt as a threat to national security. 

IN THE SENATE OF THE UNITED STATES 

FEBRUARY 26, 2019 

Mr. PERDUE (for himself, Ms. ERNST, Mr. LANKFORD, Mr. MORAN, Mr. 

ROUNDS, and Mr. SASSE) submitted the following resolution; which was 

referred to the Committee on Finance 

RESOLUTION 

Recognizing the national debt as a threat to national 

security. 

Whereas, in February 2019, the total public debt outstanding 

was more than $22,000,000,000,000, resulting in a total 

interest expense of more than $192,000,000,000 for fiscal year 2019; 

Whereas, on December 21, 2018, the total public debt as a 

percentage of gross domestic product was 104 percent; 

Whereas the last balanced Federal budget was signed into 

law in 1997; 

Whereas, in fiscal year 2018, Federal tax receipts totaled 

$3,329,000,000,000, but Federal outlays totaled 

$4,108,000,000,000, leaving the Federal Government 

with a 1-year deficit of $779,000,000,000; 


pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
2 

•SRES 78 IS 

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 Social Security and Medicare Boards of Trustees project that the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust 

Fund will be depleted in 2026; 

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 the credit rating of the United States was reduced 

by Standard and Poor’s from AAA to AA+ on August 

5, 2011, and has remained at that level since that date; 

Whereas, without a targeted effort to balance the Federal 

budget, the credit rating of the United States is certain 

to continue to fall; 

Whereas the National Security Strategy issued by President 

Donald Trump highlights the need to reduce the national 

debt through fiscal responsibility; 

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, 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 


pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS
3 

•SRES 78 IS 

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 

1 Resolved, That the Senate— 

2 (1) recognizes that the national debt is a threat 

3 to the national security of the United States; 

4 (2) realizes that deficits are unsustainable, irre5 sponsible, and dangerous; and 

6 (3) commits to addressing the fiscal crisis faced 

7 by the United States. 

Æ 


pamtmann on DSKBFK8HB2PROD with BILLS