Recognizing National Debt As Threat to National Security

Floor Speech

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Mr. CLINE. Madam Speaker, I want to thank the gentleman from Arizona for the time, and thank him for bringing this issue to the forefront.

Madam Speaker, I am distressed by the lack of numbers in the Chamber right now because this truly is the greatest threat to the security of this Nation that we face.

When I ran for office last fall, I promised the citizens of Virginia's Sixth Congressional District that I would reintroduce 4 words to Washington: ``We can't afford it.'' These are four words that have been needed to have been repeated over the last 22 years, as the last time a Federal budget with a surplus was signed into law was 1997.

In Virginia, where I served in the House of Delegates until last year, we are required to balance our budget each year. And because we have placed a priority on fiscal responsibility, Virginia is frequently listed among the best states in which to do business.

In contrast, the Federal Government has an outstanding public debt of more than $22 trillion. Every year, since 1997, Congress has failed to maintain a fiscally responsible budget and, instead, has relied too much on raising the debt ceiling.

Because of this practice, on August 5, 2011, the credit rating of the United States was reduced by Standard & Poor's from AAA to AA+, and has remained at that level ever since.

Virginia, through its fiscal responsibility, has maintained its AAA bond rating, one of only a few States to have that honor.

Not only is the current practice of not passing a balanced budget fiscally irresponsible, it poses a threat to our national security. As part of his National Security Strategy, President Trump has highlighted the need to reduce the national debt through fiscal responsibility, and I commend him for it.

In September 2011, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Michael Mullen warned: ``I believe the single biggest threat to our national security is debt.'' And at that time, our national debt was close to $15 trillion. Now, almost 10 years later, our national debt has increased by $7 trillion, a 46 percent increase.

Madam Speaker, I am proud to stand with Congressman Biggs, my fellow cosponsors, and a bipartisan group of national security leaders, in support of this resolution:

Recognizing that the national debt is, indeed, a threat to the national security of the United States;

Recognizing that deficits are unsustainable, irresponsible, and dangerous; and

Committing Congress to restoring regular order in the appropriations process and addressing the fiscal crisis faced by the United States. The future of our great republic depends on it.

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