Staff report

State Rep. David Thomas, a Republican who represents portions of Trumbull County, introduced a nonbinding resolution urging Congress to address the growing national debt.

The national debt is more than $37 trillion.

The resolution declares the national debt a security threat and urges congressional action.

The resolution highlights the growing debt and urges Congress to take steps to reduce it and budget responsibly. State Rep. Roy Klopfenstein, R-Haviland, co-sponsored the resolution with Thomas, R-Jefferson.

The resolution was referred to the House Government Oversight Committee.

Thomas said of the national debt: “At some point, it will become a state issue with impacts on our national security and ability to operate services, and now is past the time to take steps to help.”

He added, “It is my hope that our congressional leaders in Ohio can use this resolution as an example for the need and backing to carry out reforms at the federal level to lower the debt.”