; Whereas rapidly increasing interest rates would squeeze all policy priorities of the United States, including defense policy and foreign policy priorities; Whereas Federal spending on interest to service the national debt is now projected to exceed Federal spending on national defense in 2024 according to the Congressional Budget Office’s Budget and Economic Outlook: 2024 to 2034 report; Whereas, on April 12, 2018, former Secretary of Defense James Mattis warned that any Nation that can’t keep its fiscal house in order eventually cannot maintain its military power ; Whereas, on March 6, 2018, Director of National Intelligence Dan Coats warned: Our continued plunge into debt is unsustainable and represents a dire future threat to our economy and to our national security ; Whereas, on November 15, 2017, former Secretaries of Defense Leon Panetta, Ash Carter, and Chuck Hagel warned: Increase in the debt will, in the absence of a comprehensive budget that addresses both entitlements and revenues, force even deeper reductions in our national security capabilities ; and Whereas, on September 22, 2011, former Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Michael Mullen warned: I believe the single, biggest threat to our national security is debt : Now, therefore, be it