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Representative O'Brien presents resolution warning of national debt; committee rejects education and donation amendments
Summary
The Ways and Means committee heard House Resolution 28 calling attention to the national debt and received technical testimony from State Comptroller Elise Michal. Members debated two sponsor-led amendments — a K–12 curriculum and a voluntary donation/tax-credit box — both of which failed on roll call.
Representative O'Brien presented House Resolution 28 to the Ways and Means Committee, saying the measure “recognizes the seriousness of the United States national debt and the threat it poses to our nation's long term security and stability.” He told the panel the resolution is intended as a bipartisan call for stewardship rather than a prescriptive policy change.
State Comptroller Elise Michal, introduced by the sponsor, told the committee federal debt statistics illustrate a fiscal vulnerability for states, repeating the figure she displayed: “that is over a $112,000 for every man, woman, and child counted in the 2020 census,” and stressing the contrast between Indiana’s reserves and federal fiscal outcomes. Michal, who said she chairs the National Debt Crisis Task Force of State Financial Officers, urged state leaders to join a movement pressing Congress to address long-term solvency.
Members moved to consider sponsor amendments. Representative Porter proposed Amendment 1 asking the Indiana Department of Education to develop K–12 curriculum on how the national debt arose and its consequences, arguing “we need to teach our young people about the national debt.” The bill’s sponsor, Representative O’Brien, cautioned the amendment risked oversimplifying causes and said policy details were better handled outside the resolution. On roll call the committee rejected the curriculum amendment (motion failed 8 to 13).
Porter also proposed an amendment creating a voluntary donation checkbox and a potential state tax-credit mechanism so Hoosiers could direct refunds or donations “to pay the national debt.” The sponsor noted individuals can already donate to Treasury through pay.gov but said the state option would demonstrate leadership. After a requested roll call, that amendment also did not carry (motion failed 8 to 13).
The committee then moved on after formal action; the transcript records the failed amendment votes and the subsequent transition to other business. The resolution itself was considered as part of the meeting’s opening items and the committee proceeded to additional agenda bills later in the session.
The committee’s next steps recorded in the session include continued work on related fiscal measures and a schedule reminder; no implementation or funding changes were enacted in committee on the education or donation proposals.
