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69th Legislature 2025 SJ 9
- 1 - Authorized Print Version – SJ 9
ENROLLED BILL
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF
MONTANA DECLARING THAT THE FISCAL AND MONETARY POLICIES OF THE FEDERAL
GOVERNMENT ARE HARMING THE PEOPLE OF MONTANA AND THE UNITED STATES, AND URGING
CONGRESS TO DISCIPLINE ITSELF AND ADDRESS THE ONGOING DEFICITS AND DEBT OF THE
UNITED STATES BEFORE THERE IS NO LONGER ANY REMEDY TO AVOID HYPERINFLATION OR A
DEFAULT ON THE DEBT OF THIS COUNTRY.
WHEREAS, the federal debt of the United States has increased from $21.2 trillion in 2016 to $36.3
trillion as of 2025, equaling 121% of the nation's gross domestic product; and
WHEREAS, the federal debt of the United States is expected to exceed $55 trillion by 2034; and
WHEREAS, interest payments on federal debt have increased from $260 billion in 2016 to $1.1 trillion
in 2024, totaling 45% of federal income tax revenue and a 30% increase from 2023; and
WHEREAS, the national deficit for fiscal year 2024 was $1.8 trillion; and
WHEREAS, federal borrowing costs are expected to be $1.47 trillion for the first 6 months of fiscal year
2025 and $19.5 trillion over the next 10 years; and
WHEREAS, the United States debt service reached 3.95% of gross domestic product in fiscal year
2024, and gross domestic product growth is only projected at 1.8% for the next decade; and
WHEREAS, only four times in the past 48 years has Congress managed to pass a budget on time; and
WHEREAS, Social Security, Medicare, and Medicaid are currently running annual deficits of $1.17
trillion a year; and
WHEREAS, the International Monetary Fund has warned the United States that increased government
spending, growing public debt, and loose fiscal policy are leading to elevated interest rates and sustained
inflation; and
69th Legislature 2025 SJ 9
- 2 - Authorized Print Version – SJ 9
ENROLLED BILL
WHEREAS, sustained inflation and interest rates have led to crippling price increases on essential
food, transportation, energy, and housing, harming Montanans and American consumers; and
WHEREAS, inflationary theft that has been caused by the loose monetary policy and fiscal
recklessness of Congress is immoral, repugnant, and devastating to those who are least able to afford it; and
WHEREAS, expansive fiscal and monetary policy rewards the government, corporations, and wealthy
investors at the expense of the middle class and to the detriment of real growth; and
WHEREAS, the people of Montana and the United States have grave concerns about the ability of our
military to protect our nation from foreign adversaries and our citizens' ability to provide the most basic
necessities for their families.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF
THE STATE OF MONTANA:
(1) That the United States Congress address the exigent needs of our nation and take immediate
and decisive action to devise disciplined fiscal rules, such as the gold-linked dollar and a balanced budget
amendment to the United States Constitution.
(2) That the legislatures of the several states join with the State of Montana and send their own
unique resolutions to the United States Congress demanding action to address the fiscal vulnerabilities of the
United States and the inflationary harm inflicted on its citizens by repeated failures to address mounting debt,
deficits, and debt service being incurred by the federal government.
(3) That this resolution be sent to the Montana Congressional Delegation, including Senator
Daines, Senator Sheehy, Representative Zinke, and Representative Downing, and the presiding officers and
the Majority and Minority Leaders of each chamber of the legislature of each state and the Governor of each
state.
- END -
I hereby certify that the within bill,
SJ 9, originated in the Senate.
___________________________________________
Secretary of the Senate
___________________________________________
President of the Senate
Signed this _______________________________day
of____________________________________, 2025.
___________________________________________
Speaker of the House
Signed this _______________________________day
of____________________________________, 2025.
SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION NO. 9
INTRODUCED BY T. MCGILLVRAY, V. RICCI, W. GALT, L. SCHUBERT, S. KLAKKEN, G. OVERSTREET, T.
SHARP, R. GREGG, C. SCHOMER, T. MILLETT, D. ZOLNIKOV, M. BERTOGLIO, M. CUFFE, D. EMRICH, J.
FULLER, S. GIST, A. REGIER, C. SPRUNGER, D. LOGE, M. REGIER, S. VINTON, M. YAKAWICH, S.
FITZPATRICK, C. GLIMM, G. OBLANDER, J. ETCHART, L. DEMING, B. USHER, J. ESP, J. FITZPATRICK,
G. HERTZ, G. KMETZ, D. LENZ, M. NOLAND, L. REKSTEN, K. SEEKINS-CROWE, K. BOGNER, J.
DARLING, B. PHALEN
A JOINT RESOLUTION OF THE SENATE AND THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES OF THE STATE OF
MONTANA DECLARING THAT THE FISCAL AND MONETARY POLICIES OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT
ARE HARMING THE PEOPLE OF MONTANA AND THE UNITED STATES, AND URGING CONGRESS TO
DISCIPLINE ITSELF AND ADDRESS THE ONGOING DEFICITS AND DEBT OF THE UNITED STATES
BEFORE THERE IS NO LONGER ANY REMEDY TO AVOID HYPERINFLATION OR A DEFAULT ON THE
DEBT OF THIS COUNTRY.