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Senate committee hears resolution urging Congress to address U.S. debt and deficit
Summary
Senate Joint Resolution 9, sponsored by Sen. Tom McGilvray, asks Montana’s congressional delegation, governors and legislative leaders to act on the federal debt; the sponsor described high national debt and debt‑service concerns and proponents urged the Legislature to send a ‘stern message’ to Washington.
Senator Tom McGilvray opened a committee hearing on Senate Joint Resolution 9, which would be sent to Montana’s congressional delegation, state governors and legislative leaders and asks federal officials to take steps to address the national debt and rising debt service.
McGilvray framed the resolution as a bipartisan appeal to federal leaders. He cited figures for national debt and annual deficits and warned that rising debt service could crowd out other priorities. McGilvray said the U.S. debt‑to‑GDP ratio and growing interest costs create a trajectory that, in his view, threatens economic stability and harms lower‑income households most.
Online and in‑room proponents supported the resolution. One proponent, who identified himself as Pence, told the committee “the national debt is about 37,000,000,000,000,” called the trend “immoral,” and urged action to pursue a balanced budget. Dan McLean, another proponent from Billings, said the debt service trajectory is “leading our country to the eventuality of fiscal collapse” and urged the committee to support the resolution.
McGilvray described the resolution as a simple memorializing measure (not an Article V application) intended to send a message to federal and state leaders. He repeatedly framed the issue as a long‑term fiscal problem affecting future generations and argued that unchecked debt service risks inflationary outcomes that would disproportionately hurt lower‑income households.
Committee members asked questions but the hearing did not include any formal committee vote on the resolution. McGilvray closed by reiterating the resolution’s intent to notify federal leaders and urging continued attention to the issue.
