Jodey Arrington: “Admiral Mullen was asked at a hearing what he thought the greatest threat to national security was. His response was…”

“Admiral Mullen was asked at a hearing what he thought the greatest threat to national security was. His response was powerful, simple, and very clear. He said the greatest threat to our national security is our national debt. I would add that it is not just a threat to our security, but it is a threat to our prosperity; it is a threat to the blessings of liberty and opportunity for our children; and it is a threat to domestic tranquility. There is not a greater threat that looms larger on the horizon. There is not a greater challenge in this 21st century and for my generation than the potential and the prospects of a sovereign debt crisis. We have no doubt experienced an unprecedented public health and economic disaster as a result of the pandemic. But if we don't commit to reducing our national debt, we will indeed face a crisis far graver than what could come out of this pandemic. We have experienced the largest generational retirement in history, runaway healthcare costs, and record spending. Discretionary, nondefense, and defense spending all have amassed a whopping $1 trillion in debt. This is pre-COVID. That is $1 trillion in annual deficit spending, spending $1 trillion more on our Nation's priorities and our budget over what we have to spend. We have done that year in and year out, to the tune now of a $23- trillion debt and climbing. This is pre-COVID, I want to remind you, Mr. Speaker.…”