House Resolution Declares $36 Trillion National Debt a 'National Security Threat,' Warns of Social Security Collapse by 2034

This resolution isn't a new law, but it’s Congress officially hitting the panic button on the country’s finances. The House of Representatives is formally declaring that the massive national debt—which was over $36.2 trillion as of January 2025—is a direct threat to national security. Essentially, they are laying out the case for why massive fiscal changes are needed, and they are backing it up with some seriously alarming numbers that hit close to home for anyone trying to plan their future.

The Tab for Every Taxpayer

For those of us juggling mortgages, student loans, and rising childcare costs, here’s the number that should make you pause: The resolution calculates that the national debt translates to about $323,045 owed by you, the individual taxpayer. That figure combines the total debt with the shrinking number of people actually paying federal income taxes. Think about that: You’re carrying a shadow debt of over a quarter-million dollars before you even factor in your own personal bills. This isn't just abstract accounting; the resolution notes that in fiscal year 2024, the government spent over $1.13 trillion just on interest payments—money that could have gone toward infrastructure, research, or tax relief, but instead went straight to lenders.

The Clock is Ticking on Social Security and Medicare

The resolution highlights the ticking time bomb under two programs many people rely on for their retirement and health. According to the data cited, the Social Security Hospital Insurance Trust Fund (Medicare Part A) is projected to run out of money by 2033. Even more critically, the main Social Security funds for retirement and disability are expected to run dry by 2034. For someone in their mid-40s, that means these programs could face drastic cuts or benefit reductions just as they are preparing to retire. The resolution makes it clear that the current fiscal path is undermining the very safety net that millions of Americans have paid into their entire working lives.

The National Security Angle: Why Debt is the New Threat

Why is Congress calling this a national security threat? It’s not just about money; it’s about power and stability. The resolution points out that foreign entities hold over $8.5 trillion of U.S. debt, including more than $759 billion held by China. When a country is so heavily indebted, it loses flexibility and leverage on the world stage. Furthermore, the text warns that countries like China are actively trying to dethrone the U.S. dollar as the world's reserve currency. If that happens, the U.S. could face significantly higher borrowing costs and inflation, making everything from buying a car to running a small business much more expensive.

The Commitment to 'Regular Order'—And the Risk of Gridlock

Beyond just listing the problems, the House commits to returning to the “regular order” appropriations process. This means stopping the reliance on massive, last-minute spending bills and returning to a more disciplined, section-by-section budgeting process. While this sounds good—it promises accountability—it also raises the risk of government shutdowns and political gridlock. The resolution is a clear signal that the era of massive, unchecked deficit spending (the U.S. has run a deficit every year since 1997) is over, or at least, that the House intends to force a painful reckoning on how the government spends money. This commitment suggests that future budget debates will be less about what new programs to fund and more about what existing programs must be cut to rein in the debt.