Treasury Department Reports $20 Trillion National Debt

Source: House Representative Jeb Hensarling (R-TX, 5th)

Washington, D.C. - September 12, 2017 (The Ponder News) -- U.S. Congressman Jeb Hensarling (TX-5) released the following statement in response to the recent Daily Treasury Statement from the United States Treasury reporting that our national debt is set to surpass $20 trillion ($61,899 per citizen):

“As I said last week, when it comes to our national debt the familiar refrain from too many in Washington continues to be, ‘we will deal with that tomorrow.’ I’ve been hearing that for years and now the American people are waking up to find out we now have $20 trillion worth of debt today, and tomorrow never seems to come.

“There is a true spending-driven debt crisis in America. It is the greatest existential threat to our country that receives almost no attention in Washington.

“Not only will the national debt break federal and household budgets, but it is a direct threat to our national security. In a time where the world is more dangerous than ever, we cannot afford to short-change the safety and well-being of our citizens.

“When the debt was $17 trillion, Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen said, ‘the most significant threat to our national security is our debt.’ Now that number is significantly higher with no sign of stopping.

“$20 trillion in national debt is a dubious and dangerous milestone that was all too avoidable. If we do not, we will soon wake up to find ourselves a second-rate economic power, a second-rate military power, and a second-rate moral authority.”