Bill
HR 28
Indiana recognizes the national debt as a national security threat and urges Congress to restore an effective, regular budgeting process.
Title: Recognizing the seriousness of the U.S. national debt and its threat to national security
Jurisdiction: Indiana
Bill Type: House Resolution (non-binding)
Author/ Sponsors: Prime sponsor Rep. O’Brien; numerous co-authors and co-sponsors from across the Indiana House.
Committee: Ways and Means (House of Representatives)
Status: Reported Do Pass by the Committee on Ways and Means (February 17, 2026)
Introduction and action history:
- Introduced February 5, 2026; referred to the Committee on Ways and Means.
- February 17, 2026: Reported Do Pass by committee.
- February 18, 2026: Passed second reading with Roll Call 273 (yea 91, nay 0) and additional co-authors added.
- Various updates to co-authors and sponsors continued through February 2026.
What the bill does (core purpose):
- HR 28 is a non-binding resolution in the Indiana General Assembly.
- It states that Indiana recognizes the national debt of the United States as a threat to national security.
- It urges Congress to establish an effective regular budgeting process (i.e., to restore or improve regular order in federal budgeting).
Key provisions and proposed guidance:
- Section 1: Declaration of recognition
- The State of Indiana recognizes the national debt as a threat to U.S. national security.
- It urges the United States Congress to commit to establishing an effective regular order for budgeting (i.e., a disciplined, regular budgeting process).
- Section 2: Communications directive
- The Principal Clerk of the Indiana House is directed to transmit a copy of the resolution to each member of Indiana’s Congressional delegation.
Who would be affected:
- This is a symbolic/policy statement from the Indiana General Assembly. It does not impose direct legal requirements or mandates on individuals, businesses, or state agencies.
- It aims to influence federal policy by signaling state-level concern and urging Congress to adopt improved budgeting practices.
Policy context and implications:
- The resolution references several fiscal metrics and warnings to frame the issue:
- U.S. public debt exceeding $38 trillion as of December 2025; debt-to-GDP ratio around 118%.
- Public debt per capita approximately $112,000.
- Over $8 trillion of federal debt held by foreign entities, including roughly $800 billion owned by Chinese entities.
- FY 2024 deficit exceeding $1 trillion (federal receipts about $5 trillion vs outlays about $6.75 trillion).
- Projected depletion of Social Security and Medicaid trust funds (Old Age and Survivors Insurance Trust Fund by 2033; Federal Hospital Insurance Trust Fund by 2036).
- Historical quotes from national security and intelligence leaders emphasizing debt as a strategic threat.
- The resolution frames debt and budgetary disorder as a national security issue and urges adherence to regular budgeting processes as a corrective measure.
Procedural and timeline notes:
- The bill moves from introduction to committee, then to floor with a Do Pass recommendation.
- As a resolution, it would not create new law or funding; rather, it serves to articulate a policy position and encourage federal action.
- If adopted, the resolution would be transmitted to Indiana’s U.S. Congressional delegation as a formal statement of the state’s view.
Bottom line:
- HR 28 is a non-binding statement by Indiana’s House recognizing the national debt as a national security threat and urging Congress to establish an effective regular budgeting process. It is primarily a symbolic, interpretive measure intended to express state-level concern and influence federal budgeting reform discussions.
Compiled from official sources — confirm details with the bill’s official record.
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