April 4, 2025
SENATE RESOLUTION No. 51
DIGEST OF RESOLUTION
A SENATE RESOLUTION recognizing the seriousness of the
national debt and its threat to national security.
Schmitt, Clark
March 27, 2025, read first time and referred to Committee on Commerce and Technology.
April 3, 2025, reported favorably — Do Pass.
SR 51—RR 3526/DI JR April 4, 2025
First Regular Session 124th General Assembly (2025)
SENATE RESOLUTION No. 51
MR. PRESIDENT:
I offer the following resolution and move its adoption:
1 A SENATE RESOLUTION recognizing the seriousness of
2 the national debt and its threat to national security.
3 Whereas, In March 2025, the outstanding public debt of the
4 United States (U.S.) totaled more than $36 trillion, with public
5 debt equaling 124 percent of gross domestic product and the
6 debt owed per citizen rising to $107,000;
7 Whereas, More than $8 trillion of the federal debt is owned
8 by individuals not located in the U.S., including more than $1
9 trillion owned by individuals in China;
10 Whereas, In fiscal year 2024, the U.S. had a deficit of over
11 $1 trillion after the U.S. Congress failed to pass a balanced
12 budget and federal tax receipts totaled $5 trillion, short of the
13 federal outlays totaling $6.75 trillion;
14 Whereas, The Social Security and Medicare Boards of
15 Trustees project that the Federal Hospital Insurance Trust
16 Fund, the Old-Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund, and
17 the Federal Disability Insurance Trust Fund will all be
18 depleted in the next decade;
SR 51—RR 3526/DI JR 2
1 Whereas, Improvements in the business climate in populous
2 countries and aging populations around the world will likely
3 contribute to higher global interest rates, which would squeeze
4 all U.S. policy priorities, including defense and foreign policy;
5 Whereas, On September 22, 2011, former Chairman of the
6 Joint Chiefs of Staff Michael Mullen warned, "the single,
7 biggest threat to our national security is debt";
8 Whereas, On March 6, 2018, then Director of National
9 Intelligence Dan Coats warned, "Our continued plunge into
10 debt is unsustainable and represents a dire future threat to our
11 economy and to our national security"; and
12 Whereas, The last federal budget surplus occurred in 2001
13 and the continued rise in the national debt is a major concern
14 across the Hoosier State and around the country: Therefore,
15 Be it resolved by the Senate of the
16 General Assembly of the State of Indiana:
17 SECTION 1. That the Indiana Senate recognizes that the
18 national debt is a threat to the national security of the United
19 States and urges the United States Congress to commit to
20 restoring regular order in the appropriations process.
21 SECTION 2. The Secretary of the Senate is directed to
22 transmit a copy of this Resolution to each member of Indiana's
23 Congressional delegation.
SR 51—RR 3526/DI JR 3
COMMITTEE REPORT
Mr. President: The Senate Committee on Commerce and
Technology, to which was referred Senate Resolution No. 51, has had
the same under consideration and begs leave to report the same back
to the Senate with the recommendation that said resolution DO PASS.
(Reference is to SR 51 as introduced.)
BUCHANAN, Chairperson
Committee Vote: Yeas 10, Nays 0
SR 51—RR 3526/DI JR