As Introduced

136th General Assembly

Regular Session H. C. R. No. 24

2025-2026

Representatives Thomas, D., Klopfenstein

Cosponsors: Representatives Brennan, Deeter, Fischer, Fowler Arthur, Glassburn, Gross, Hall, T., John, King, Williams

A c o n c u r r e n t R E S O L U T I O N

To recognize that the national debt is a threat to the national security of the United States and to urge the United States Congress to commit to establishing an effective regular order for budgeting.

BE IT RESOLVED BY THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF OHIO (THE SENATE CONCURRING):

WHEREAS, In September 2025, the outstanding public debt of the United States totaled more than $37 trillion, with public debt equaling 123% of gross domestic product, and the debt owed per citizen rising to $108,000; and

WHEREAS, More than $8 trillion of the federal debt is owned by individuals not located in the United States, including more than $800 billion owned by individuals in China; and

WHEREAS, In fiscal year 2024, the United States had a deficit of over $1 trillion after the United States Congress failed to pass a balanced budget, and federal tax receipts totaled $5 trillion, short of the federal outlays totaling $6.75 trillion; and

WHEREAS, The Social Security and Medicare Boards of Trustees project that the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund and the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund will be depleted in 2033 and 2036; and

WHEREAS, Improvements in the business climate in populous countries and aging populations around the world likely will contribute to higher global interest rates, which would squeeze all United States policy priorities, including defense and foreign policy; and

WHEREAS, On September 22, 2011, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Michael Mullen warned, "the single biggest threat to our national security is debt"; and

WHEREAS, On March 6, 2018, then 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"; and

WHEREAS, The payment on the interest of national debt now exceeds total United States Defense spending causing future uncertainty over the ability to defend our national interests; now therefore be it

RESOLVED, That we, the members of the 136th General Assembly of the State of Ohio, recognize that the national debt is a threat to the national security of the United States and urge the United States Congress to commit to establishing an effective regular order for budgeting; and be it further

RESOLVED, That the Clerk of the House of Representatives transmit duly authenticated copies of this resolution to each member of the Ohio Congressional delegation and to the news media of Ohio.