; Whereas the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects that by 2027, annual interest payments on the debt will more than triple to $818 billion, an amount greater than that spent on national defense; Whereas a significant portion of the debt is held by foreign governments, many of whom, including China and Russia, are not allies of the United States; Whereas in 2010, then Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Admiral Michael Mullen, declared that the most significant threat to our national security is our debt ; Whereas since Admiral Mullen made that statement in 2010, the debt has increased by over $6 trillion; Whereas in January of 2017, Secretary of Defense and Retired Marine Corps General, Jim Mattis, affirmed his belief that the greatest threat to America’s national security is our Federal debt; and Whereas absent changes to current law, the Federal deficit and debt will continue to expand rapidly, especially if interest rates rise and/or the economy slows, thereby lowering revenues and increasing demand for Federal assistance: Now, therefore, be it