IV 

118TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 190 

Recognizing the national debt as a threat to national security. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

MARCH 1, 2023 

Mr. BIGGS 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 2023, the total public debt outstanding 

was more than $31,400,000,000,000, resulting in a total 

interest expense of more than $717,611,000,000 for fiscal year 2022; 

Whereas, in January 2023, the total public debt as a percentage of gross domestic product was 121.00 percent; 

Whereas, in January 2023, the debt owed per citizen was 

$94,240 and $246,864 per taxpayer; 

Whereas the last balanced Federal budget was signed into 

law in 1997; 


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•HRES 190 IH 

Whereas, in fiscal year 2022, Federal tax receipts totaled 

$4,896,000,000,000, but Federal outlays totaled 

$6,272,000,000,000, leaving the Federal Government 

with a 1-year deficit of $1,376,000,000,000; 

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 2022 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 2028; 

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 $7,270,000,000,000 of Federal debt is 

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•HRES 190 IH 

cluding more than $870,000,000,000 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 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

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

3 to the national security of the United States; 


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•HRES 190 IH 

1 (2) realizes that deficits are unsustainable, irre2 sponsible, and dangerous; 

3 (3) commits to restoring regular order in the 

4 appropriations process; and 

5 (4) commits to addressing the fiscal crisis faced 

6 by the United States. 

Æ 


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