Indiana’s Resolution on Federal Debt Gains National Traction

“This recommendation from ALEC shows how Indiana’s leadership is playing a critical role in the effort to build widespread support to urge President Trump and Congress to balance our country’s budget and tackle the massive $36 trillion debt problem for the states and for America,” said Comptroller Nieshalla.

Senate Resolution 51, introduced during Indiana’s 2025 legislative session, is modeled after Senate Resolution 600 — authored by Governor and former U.S. Senator Mike Braun — which passed unanimously and raised awareness of the consequences of federal overspending and the rapidly growing debt. Senate Resolution 51 was co-authored by State Senators Daryl Schmitt (R-Jasper) and Brett Clark (R-Avon) and received overwhelming bi-partisan support.

“The fact that the nation’s debt has become a national security threat hastens the need for the Indiana Senate’s resolution to be adopted across the states to draw attention to the gravity of the problem and bring us together to solve it in our lifetimes and for future generations,” Comptroller Nieshalla added.

Indiana Senators Jim Buck (R-Kokomo) and Linda Rogers (R-Granger) submitted the resolution for consideration during ALEC’s Annual Conference in July, at the Tax and Fiscal Policy Committee Meeting where it passed unanimously. Comptroller Nieshalla, who is the chair of the National Debt Crisis Task Force of State Financial Officers Foundation (SFOF), presented remarks before the committee, raising concerns about the nation’s deficit spending and rising debt. She encouraged the adoption of Indiana’s resolution as a meaningful tool for lawmakers to use in calling for the restoration of fiscal solvency at the federal level. Yesterday, ALEC’s board of directors formally adopted the resolution to serve as model policy.

“As hard as so many states work to be in a strong financial position, we are vulnerable to the vastly weakened fiscal position of our nation due to the high level of accumulated debt. This resolution signals the critical role states must play to call for the federal government to get back to the essential fundamentals of balanced budgets and a debt-to-GDP ratio that is manageable,” Comptroller Nieshalla added.

As a voluntary membership organization of state legislators dedicated to the principles of limited government, free markets and federalism, ALEC provides a forum for experts to discuss business and economic issues facing the states to encourage growth, preserve economic security and protect hardworking taxpayers.

SFOF’s mission is to drive fiscally sound public policy, by partnering with key stakeholders, and educating Americans on the role of responsible financial management in a free market economy.