Tom Price

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, as I mentioned at the outset of this, we heard a lot of things talked about on the other side, many of which had nothing to do with the piece of legislation before us. What we are talking about with this legislation are the harmful effects of ObamaCare. What has ObamaCare actually done? 7.5 million Americans paid the individual mandate tax in 2014, an average of about $200. That is going up in terms of numbers and in terms of dollars. Sixty-seven percent of the American people have seen increased deductibles since this law went into place, so much so that many individuals aren't able to pay their deductible, which means they are denied care, they don't have care. They may have coverage, but they don't have health care. A premium increase of $3,775, on average, instead of the $2,500 premium decrease that was promised by the President. The co-ops, the cooperative program, will cost $2.4 billion, yet more than 420,000 Americans will lose coverage from the co-op program because it doesn't work, like the rest of this law. Mr. Speaker, the majority of the American people continue to oppose this law. Why? Let me suggest to you it is because the principles of health care have been violated by the law. We all want a system that is affordable for everybody. Does that occur in ObamaCare? No. We want a system that is accessible for everybody. Is that the case in ObamaCare? Absolutely not. We want a system of the highest quality of care. As a formerly practicing physician, I can tell you that my former colleagues tell me that the quality is going down. We want a system that is full of innovation and responsiveness to the patients and choices for patients. Have any of those increased in ObamaCare? No. No. No. That is the problem, Mr. Speaker. That is the problem that we have, and that is that the principles of health care are violated. What does this bill before us today do? It reduces the deficit by nearly $130 billion. It increases gross domestic product by over $55 billion. It eliminates the work disincentives and increases the labor supply. That means more jobs, Mr. Speaker. It increases capital investment. That means more jobs. It decreases Federal borrowing. That means more jobs and a healthier economy. Who is supporting the bill? All these groups are supporting the bill. In fact, Mr. Speaker, we have 42 individual groups supporting the bill: Susan B. Anthony List, Family Research Council, Americans for Tax Reform, National Taxpayers Union, Concerned Women for America, National Right to Life Committee, National Retail Federation, Americans for Prosperity, U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Small Business and Entrepreneurship Council, Americans United for Life, and on and on and on. They support this because they know that this is what the American people want and it is what they deserve. Susan B. Anthony List, October 21, 2015. US House of Representatives, Washington, DC. Dear Representative, On behalf of the Susan B. Anthony List (SBA List) and our 386,000 members nationwide, I urge you to support the ``Restoring Americans' Healthcare Freedom Reconciliation Act'' (H.R. 3762). This bill blocks a large portion of federal funding to Planned Parenthood, America's largest seller of abortions, for one year. The funding is instead re-directed to community health centers, which provide comprehensive health care for women but do not perform abortions. Planned Parenthood does not need or deserve taxpayer funding. Most recently, undercover videos show that Planned Parenthood, America's largest abortion business, has been engaged in unethical and possibly illegal abortion practices connected to the trafficking of unborn children's organs for profit. These videos offer just a glimpse into the abortion industry's day-to-day horrific practices. Over one million abortions are performed annually in the United States, with nearly 330,000 occurring in Planned Parenthood facilities, all the way up to 24 weeks of pregnancy, past the time when recent studies show that a substantial percentage of these children can be saved if treated with the best techniques of modern perinatal medicine. Regardless of whether Americans identify as pro-life or pro-choice, we should all be able to agree that taxpayer dollars should not be subsidizing an already cash-flush industry. Instead, these tax dollars would be put to better use at local community health centers, which provide all the same health services Planned Parenthood does (and usually more), but do not perform brutal abortions and harvest body parts. Finally, this bill would repeal parts of the Affordable Care Act, which SBA List has long opposed because of its anti-life provisions. For these reasons, I urge you to support this pro-life, pro-woman bill. Sincerely, Marjorie Dannenfelser, President, Susan B. Anthony List.

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, today I am proud to rise in support of a great friend of the United States, Taiwan. As you know, October 10 is the 104th National Day of the Republic of China. No one forgets the unbelievable sacrifices the Chinese endured against Imperial Japan during World War II. Nor do we forget that the Republic of China was in that conflict a full four years prior to the entry of the United States. Earlier this year, our two countries observed the 70th anniversary of the end of that war. After 1949, Taiwan held out as a key non-Communist partner during the early days of the Cold War. As a well-established democracy and as an economic powerhouse, Taiwan has set a model example for the rest of Asia and the world in recent years. Given our long shared history as allies, it is entirely appropriate that we share in the celebration of Taiwan's National Day. To all of my Taiwanese friends, I wish you a happy and joyous day.

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I would like to express my concerns regarding two provisions in S. 2082, the Department of Veterans Affairs Expiring Authorities Act of 2015: Sec. 501 the increased authorization for the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) medical facility project in Denver, Colorado and Sec. 412 the modification of authorization for the VA medical facility project in Tampa, Florida which is designated as an emergency. Sec. 501 Increased authorization for the VA medical facility project in Denver, Colorado Originally budgeted to be an $800 million dollar project, the VA is now requesting yet another funding transfer from Congress to bring the total price tag of this medical facility to an astounding $1.675 billion, more than $800 million dollars over budget. Mismanagement of construction projects, and the unacceptable waste of taxpayer dollars, unfortunately have been an ongoing problem at the VA. It is deplorable and should not be tolerated by Congress or the Administration. This project is a perfect example of why the VA is in dire need of wholesale reform in addition to continued oversight by Congress to ensure that the VA is transparent, accountable, and ultimately able to best serve our nation's veterans. I fully support the House Committee on Veterans' Affairs Chairman Jeff Miller's efforts to directly address the construction problems at the VA and other efforts by his Committee to enforce accountability agency-wide, including H.R. 1994, the VA Accountability Act of 2015, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives on July 29, 2015. I also applaud Chairman Miller's version of an increased authorization for the Denver project bill, H.R. 3595, because it included offsets to help pay for the increase in costs at the Denver facility. These offsetting policies in H.R. 3595 are a clear indication that the U.S. House of Representatives is no longer willing to tolerate misbehavior and poor performance at the VA and include the following: limitation on awards and bonuses for VA employees, reduction of benefits for members of the Senior Executive Service at the VA convicted of certain crimes, and authority for the VA Secretary to recoup bonuses or awards paid to employees in the past if deemed appropriate pursuant to regulations. Unfortunately, S. 2082 does not include these offsets and allows the VA to decide which funds to transfer to the Denver project. As Chairman of the House Committee on the Budget, I do not condone mismanagement by any Federal agency, especially an agency tasked with the heavy responsibility of taking care of the men and women who have served our country in uniform. Our veterans should not be punished by the lack of competence within the VA bureaucracy, which would be the effect of not approving the transfer of additional funds for this medical facility. However, the VA should not take the approval of this newest transfer of funds as an indication of congressional support for their mismanagement of the Denver facility. Further, the VA is hereby placed on notice that the Budget Committee will work closely with the Veterans' Affairs Committee in the months ahead to advance the long overdue efforts to reform the department's dysfunctional operations. Our veterans who have served this nation with honor and distinction deserve nothing less than Congress' commitment to fix the management problems at the VA. Sec. 412 Modification of authorization for the VA medical facility project in Tampa, Florida S. 2082 calls for modifying the authorization for the Tampa facility from ``providing bed tower upgrades,'' which was originally authorized and appropriated in the Supplemental Appropriations Act of 2008 (P.L. 110-252), to ``constructing a new bed tower'' and designating this new purpose of the monies as an emergency requirement. The emergency designation, which is under the jurisdiction of the Budget Committee, is defined for needs that are urgent, unforeseen, and would result in imminent loss of life or property if left unmet. I do not believe that the authorization modification in S. 2082 meets these criteria since it is occurring seven years after the original emergency designation for this purpose in P.L. 110-252. I think most members of Congress would agree that this provision does not qualify as an emergency as defined by the Committee's criteria and I am disappointed that this emergency provision is included in S. 2082.

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, this week Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Khamenei, the person with whom President Obama and his administration say they have reached an agreement that we should support, doubled down, once again calling the United States the Great Satan. And he further declared, after negotiations, there will be nothing left of Israel in 25 years and, until then, jihadi morale will leave not a moment of serenity. This is the very man that the President of the United States is blindly trusting if we endorse this deal. Sadly, this administration has folded on every single red line and point of leverage that the United States had. There are no ``anytime, anyplace'' inspections. There is no accountability for past Iranian nuclear activities. Conventional armament bans will be lifted. Ballistic missile bans will be lifted. To put it plainly, Mr. Speaker, this deal paves a shiny yellow brick road for Iran to spread Islamic extremism, death, and destruction around the world, not to mention an unprecedented nuclear arms race across the entire Middle East. We should have made sure that not a single resource or benefit received by Iran funds Islamic terrorism. We should have made sure that Iran publicly accepts Israel's right to exist, that genocide is unacceptable, that stated goals of wiping entire groups of people and nations off the Earth is unacceptable. At the very least, we should have made certain that four American hostages, including a Christian pastor being held in Iran, were released. Of course, not a single one of these objectives were achieved. The administration thought that compelling Iran to renounce nuclear holocaust or Islamic terrorism or genocide were simply far too unreasonable to request. If this deal goes through, time will surely demonstrate that it will be a shameful stain in the history of the world. Now, we pray that terrible ramifications do not come to fruition. However, if the past is prologue, this agreement may very well make any further action or concerns voiced by anyone too little, too late. A nuclear Iran spells nothing but disaster. For safety at home and abroad, this agreement must be rejected.

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, my colleague, Mr. Van Hollen of Maryland, and I would like to recognize the career and retirement of Sandy Davis, the associate director for legislative affairs for the Congressional Budget Office [CBO] and thank him for his distinguished service to the Budget Committee and the Congress. Sandy is retiring after 36 years of dedicated service to the federal government. Sandy first joined CBO in 1996 as a senior analyst focusing on Congressional budget procedures and practices. Since 2003, he has served as the associate director for legislative affairs. In this role, Sandy has diligently served as CBO's chief liaison to the Congress and has worked closely with the Budget Committee. He has been invaluable in assisting committee members and staff in fulfilling our responsibilities under the Congressional Budget Act. During his time at CBO, Sandy has served under six Directors and in both Republican and Democratic Congresses. Prior to joining CBO, he served as an analyst and senior budget process specialist at the Congressional Research Service. As the Chairman and Ranking Member of the Budget Committee, we greatly appreciate Sandy's exceptional service to the Budget Committee and the Congress. Sandy exemplifies CBO's high standard of professionalism, expertise, and nonpartisanship. We wish him all the best in his retirement and future endeavors.

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, sometimes the terrorism we witness in this day and age is a world away. Sometimes it occurs very close to home. Two weeks ago, terror visited Chattanooga, Tennessee, and, in so doing, hit home for us in Georgia. One of the five servicemen murdered on July 16 in Chattanooga grew up in the Sixth District of Georgia. He graduated from Sprayberry High School in 2012. Skip Wells was a marine--a proud marine, a proud American, and a hero. Last week, in Georgia, thousands gathered to honor the life of this patriot, Skip Wells, who lost his life in the terrorist attack in Chattanooga. Nothing we say will replace the loss, the heartbreak, and the pain of his family and friends, those who knew him best. But we can say how much heroes enlighten us--and inspire us--and strengthen the faith of our Nation and our lives. Skip Wells is a hero. It has been said that ``a hero is someone who has given his life to something bigger than oneself.'' That is precisely what Skip did. His closest friends said that Skip Wells felt called to serve, to protect. When asked why Skip joined the Marines, a friend of Skip's told folks simply that ``Skip just loved his country.'' He knew that freedom isn't free. He knew that liberty requires sacrifice. What an inspiration his dedication and his heroism are for all of us. Chesterton said that ``the true soldier fights not because he hates what is in front of him, but because he loves what is behind him.'' Skip Wells loved his family, his friends, the Marines--oh, how he loved the Marines--and he loved his country. His death in the service of this great Nation places him in the ranks of those with the greatest of valor. On behalf of all who represent this Nation, we send our deepest and heartfelt thanks and sympathy to Skip's family and friends on their tragic loss. We all--every single American--mourn for those who make the ultimate sacrifice for this great land. The Bible says: ``Blessed are those who mourn, for they shall be comforted.'' In its broadest sense, this verse is so very, very true. In the book of John, we read: ``Greater love has no one than this, that one lay down his life for his friends.'' To his mom, Cathy, to his friends and family, you may be very, very proud of Skip and his ultimate sacrifice to our country. May God's grace comfort you in this difficult time. Please know that a grateful Nation loves you and mourns with you. May we never, ever, forget Skip Wells and the great men and women who stand in harm's way every single day and protect this, the greatest Nation on Earth. May God bless us all, and may he continue to bless the United States of America.

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I along with Representative Kline, Representative Van Hollen, and Representative Scott of Virginia wish to pay tribute to Deborah Kalcevic, who is retiring this month after 40 years of distinguished service to the Congress at the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). She is the longest serving employee in the history of CBO. Since joining CBO in 1975 she has spent most of her time in the Income Security and Education Cost Estimates Unit. Ms. Kalcevic has worked closely with the Budget Committee and the authorizing committees on issues related to student loans and higher education. As one of the foremost experts on student loans, Ms. Kalcevic has been invaluable in helping the Budget Committee fulfill our responsibilities under the Congressional Budget Act and in assisting the Education and the Workforce Committee with countless reforms to the Higher Education Act. Ms. Kalcevic is held in high esteem by both Republicans and Democrats for her tireless and diligent work. Her knowledge of student loan programs is legendary, as is her ability and willingness to help people more fully understand the important aspects and nuances of those programs. The work she did was incredibly important, and we are grateful to Ms. Kalcevic for her assistance, expertise, and dedication over the last four decades. In short, Ms. Kalcevic exemplifies CBO's high standard of professionalism, objectivity, and nonpartisanship. In fact, she twice has received the CBO Director's award, the agency's highest recognition for outstanding performance. As the Chairmen and Ranking Members, we greatly appreciate the commitment that Ms. Kalcevic has shown in assisting the Budget and Education and the Workforce Committees and the Congress. We wish her well in her future endeavors, including her desire to spend more time with her family and close friends.

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, today I would like to speak in honor of a good friend and policy advocate, Jim Tudor. Having known Jim for years, including back in my time in the Georgia State Senate, I know personally his hard work ethic and keen insight on public affairs. Jim graduated from the University of Cincinnati in 1972 and spent two years in the Army. Having worked for Georgia Association of Convenience Stores since January 1987, Jim has been recognized by James Magazine as one of the Top Ten Lobbyist or trade organizations for the last three years and has received various Pigeon Awards from the Pigeon Community. Jim is highly active in the community, including his church, the Covington Rotary, the Georgia Youth Assembly and the YMCA. Mr. Speaker, Jim recently announced his retirement after 29 years of work at the Georgia Association of Convenience Stores. After having done such wonderful work for so long, I am sure it will be a distinct, but well-deserved, change of pace. Though the Association will miss him, I know how excited his wife Sarah, his four children, and five grandchildren must be. Jim looks forward to roaming the countryside with Sarah in their retro-style 2015 Mellow Yellow Winnebago. On behalf of the Sixth District of Georgia, I congratulate Jim and thank him for all he has done enriching our community.

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Chair, on rollcall No. 235 I mistakenly voted ``yea.'' I intended to vote ``no.'' Amendment No. 38 Offered by Mr. Lucas

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to House Resolution 231, I call up the conference report on the concurrent resolution (S. Con. Res. 11) setting forth the congressional budget for the United States Government for fiscal year 2016 and setting forth the appropriate budgetary levels for fiscal years 2017 through 2025, and ask for its immediate consideration.

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Speaker, let me begin by thanking everyone involved in getting us to this moment, where we have an agreement between the House and the Senate Budget conferees on a joint balanced budget proposal before the Congress. All members of our committee and the conference committee and their staffs should be commended for their hard work. And I want to commend specifically the staff directors on both sides of the aisle. Rick May on the Republican side and Tom Kahn on the Democratic side worked yeoman's service in making certain that their respective Members were prepared for the activity that we have gone through over the past 4 months. We are set, Mr. Speaker, to adopt the first balanced budget of this kind in over a decade. That is important not only from an historical perspective but also for what it says about this Congress' commitment to doing the work that the American people sent us here to do, to get it done, to move forward with positive solutions for a healthier economy and a stronger, more secure nation. What we have before us today, Mr. Speaker, is a budget that balances within 10 years without raising taxes and reduces spending over $5 trillion over that period of time, which will not only get Washington's fiscal house in order, but pave the way for stronger economic growth, more jobs, and more opportunity. It invests in our Nation's priorities, ensures a strong national defense, and saves, strengthens, and protects important programs like Medicare and Social Security. Mr. Speaker, I know our friends on the other side of the aisle, we will hear from them, and they may have a difference of opinion. If past is prologue, we are bound to hear from them a few items that they will talk about. They will say that our budget will, in their words, ``hurt the middle class.'' That statement bears no resemblance to reality, Mr. Speaker. In fact, what is hurting the middle class right now are the policies of our Democrat friends and President Obama that they have put in place, policies that have led to the worst economic recovery in the modern era, stagnant wages and underwhelming growth in our economy. We just heard today, Mr. Speaker, that the economy grew in the first quarter by 0.2 percent. There is a reason for that. What we need to do is to get the economy rolling. The best thing we can do for the middle class--for hard-working American families--is to get our economy turned around so more jobs are being created and more dreams are being realized. Guess what, Mr. Speaker. Our budget does just that through responsible reforms that make government more efficient, more effective, and more accountable by lifting the oppressive regulatory regime here in Washington off the backs of job creators and entrepreneurs and by fundamentally reforming our Tax Code so it is simpler, fairer, and American companies can better compete more effectively in the global economy. By doing all of that, Mr. Speaker, the Congressional Budget Office tells us that we will rein in deficits and lower government spending which will have a positive, long-term impact on the economy as well as the budget, benefits like increases in the pool of national savings and investment which would allow for more growth, job creation, and more economic security. Our friends on the other side of the aisle are fond of attacking our efforts to save, strengthen, and protect programs like Medicare, Medicaid, and Social Security. Why some folks here in Washington would be willing to let these programs go bankrupt is beyond me. Medicare and Social Security are going broke. That is not according to me. That is according to the trustees of the programs. Medicaid is not working for patients or the doctors who would like to be able to serve them. The status quo is unsustainable, and doing nothing is indefensible. We can save these programs and improve them. We have to do so for the sake of their beneficiaries and for future generations, and our budget does just that. Further, Mr. Speaker, as I have mentioned before, our budget prioritizes the safety and security of the American people, channeling important resources to our men and women in uniform. We do so in a responsible way, in a manner consistent with current law, and without allowing further across-the-board cuts in defense spending. There are those who criticize how we do that, and I respect that there are differences of opinion on this, but, Mr. Speaker, I would hope that we can all agree that, when we are faced with hugely complex national security threats and growing unrest around the world, what we need to do is to find a way to move forward to ensure that those protecting our lives and our freedom have the support and the training that they need. I look forward to an open and honest debate about the vision we have put forward to get our Nation's fiscal house in order, to strengthen our Nation's defenses, to protect our most vulnerable citizens, and to ensure a healthier economy for all Americans because that is exactly what this budget agreement does. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the agreement, and I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. PRICE of Georgia

Mr. PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Indiana (Mr. Rokita), the distinguished vice chairman of the Budget Committee.

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia. I yield the gentleman an additional 30 seconds.

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, may I inquire as to how much time remains on both sides.

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Diaz-Balart), a very diligent and dedicated senior member of the Budget Committee.

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself such time as I may consume. As I said when we talked about this the first time around, folks across this land, if they turn on the television and they take a look, you have got one parent yelling at the other: Hide the dog and the cat and the kids, sweetheart, they are talking about the budget. The distortion and the misrepresentation that is coming from the other side, Mr. Speaker, it really is absolutely phenomenal. I am pleased to hear that the gentleman likes their budget, and I commend him for liking their budget; but let me just state for the Record, Mr. Speaker, that neither their budget nor the President's budget ever, ever, ever gets to balance. If the American people can't live on borrowed money, their Federal Government ought not do so either. Our budget gets to balance within a 10-year period of time. It does so without raising taxes. That is why the American people are going to appreciate the work that is being done right here. I am very, very pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentlewoman from Tennessee (Mrs. Black), an incredibly productive member of our committee, and a member of the conference committee.

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from Michigan (Mr. Moolenaar), a productive and delightful member of our Budget Committee and a freshman member of our conference.

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I would just remind my friend that we look forward to enacting and bringing forward the policies that are incorporated within this budget. In fact, just last night, the Armed Services Committee passed out on a 60-2 vote policies that are consistent with the spending on the defense area in this budget. Mr. Speaker, I am pleased to yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Sanford), who is a wonderfully productive and energetic member of the Budget Committee.

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia. I yield 3 minutes to the gentleman from California (Mr. McClintock), a senior, thoughtful member of the Committee on the Budget.

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield 1 minute to gentleman from California (Mr. McCarthy), the distinguished majority leader of the House of Representatives.

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia. I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from Louisiana (Mr. Scalise), the distinguished majority whip.

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, how much time remains on each side?

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I ask unanimous consent that all Members may have 5 legislative days in which to revise and extend their remarks on the conference report on S. Con. Res. 11.

Mr. TOM PRICE of Georgia. Mr. Speaker, I yield myself the balance of my time. Mr. Speaker, I guess it is appropriate that we begin the process of this debate that is called ``and now for the rest of the story.'' For folks who are watching and for our colleagues who have been observing this debate and want more information, I would urge you to go to the Web site and take a peek at the resolution, budget.house.gov. You can get all sorts of information about the positive solutions that we are putting forward. It is not just our opinion. We have got a lot of folks who are out there supporting the resolution that we put forward. The 60 Plus Association says: On behalf of more than 7 million senior citizen activists, the 60 Plus Association applauds the leadership of you and Senate Budget Committee Chairman Enzi in putting forth a responsible balanced budget plan. Not only will this legislation protect today's seniors, but it will also protect our children and grandchildren. The National Federation of Independent Business says: On behalf of the NFIB, the Nation's leading small business advocacy organization, thank you for your efforts . . . NFIB and small-business owners strongly support your efforts. U.S. Chamber of Commerce: the world's largest business federation representing interests of more than 3 million businesses--those are jobs, Mr. Speaker--of all sizes, sectors, and regions strongly supports your resolution. The Association of Mature American Citizens: On behalf of 1.3 million members of AMAC . . . I am writing to applaud the House and Senate for working to pass a budget this year and to convey our strong support for the policies set forth therein. There is significant support literally from across the country, Mr. Speaker. I want to address some very specific issues that have come forward because, as I say, now, it is time for the rest of the story. Our friends talk about the lack of growth within our budget. In fact, that is not the case. In fact, the Congressional Budget Office stipulates that over $400 million in growth will occur in the first 10- year period of time. We believe it will be much more than that because we believe in a dynamic market. We believe that, when you allow the economy to thrive, when you allow folks to have more jobs and more opportunity and more dreams realized, that in fact you get the economy rolling to a greater degree and actually more increase in growth will occur within the economy. We have heard from our friends on the other side about all these tax increases that are in this budget. Mr. Speaker, let me tell you very clearly: there are no tax increases in this budget. We balance the budget within a 10-year period of time with no tax increases. What they describe is their extrapolation on what they think policy is going to be. As you know and our colleagues in this Chamber know, it is not the Budget Committee that brings forward tax resolutions. It is the Ways and Means Committee. We charge the Ways and Means Committee with coming forward with progrowth tax policy to get this economy rolling again and to actually get rates down--yes, for large and small businesses, so that we can create more jobs, but, yes, Mr. Speaker, for the American people as well. That is our vision. That is our goal. That is what we think ought to occur again so that more dreams can be realized and more Americans can have the kind of opportunity that they so desire. We have heard a lot of talk about student loans. Mr. Speaker, this budget resolution does not decrease student loans, does not decrease the Pell grants. It is important that the American people know that. If you don't believe it, just go to the Web site. Read the resolution at budget.house.gov. We have heard over and over and over again about the talk on health care. In fact, one individual on the other side of the aisle said we were ``taking away health care from 16 million.'' Nonsense, Mr. Speaker, nonsense--it just simply is not so. What we believe is that we ought to have a healthcare system that actually works for patients and families and doctors and allows them to make medical decisions and healthcare decisions, not Washington, D.C., not the Federal Government. That is not what the American people want. We are mired in a system right now that the President forced down the throats of the American people and our friends on the other side of the aisle forced down the throats of those of us in this Congress a few short years ago. We are mired in a system that actually is providing less quality of care and less affordability and less access to care. That is not what we believe ought to happen. What we do is charge the committees with coming forward with that patient-centered solution, a solution that will again put patients and families and doctors in charge. Then we hear about continuing the sequester. You are right. We do follow the law of the land, Mr. Speaker, because the budget resolution can't change the sequester. I challenge my colleagues on the other side of the aisle and I invite them to work together as we move forward over the next number of months to get together and solve the challenge of sequester in a responsible way by decreasing spending on the mandatory side so that we can find the resources that are so vitally necessary on the discretionary side. I welcome the opportunity to work with my colleagues. Mr. Speaker, this is a budget that gets our Nation's fiscal house in order. It is a budget that would get folks back to work. It is a budget that would save and strengthen and secure Medicare and Medicaid, put us on a path to saving Social Security. It is a budget that protects our national defense. It is a budget that deserves support in this Chamber. I urge my colleagues to support it. Mr. Speaker, I'd like to take this opportunity to thank the staff of the House Budget Committee and the Office of the Sixth District of Georgia. We are on the cusp of agreeing to this budget resolution, due in large part, to the hard work and dedication of my staff. For the past four months, they have worked many long hours and out of the spotlight to help build a budget that balances within 10 years. It has been an honor to work with each of these staff members as they have helped craft a budget this Congress can be proud of, and the staff should be proud of what they have helped accomplish. House Budget Committee Staff Alex Campau, Alex Stoddard, Amanda Street, Andy Morton, Ben Garndenhour, Brad Watson, Dick Magee, Eric Davis, Emily Goff, Ersin Aydin, Jane Lee, Jenna Spealman, Jim Bates, Jim Herz, Jon Romito, Jose Guillen, Justin Bogie, Kara McKee, Kelle Long, Kyle Cormney, Mary Popadiuk, Pat Knudsen, Paul Restuccia, Rich Kisielowski, Rick May, Ryan Murphy, Tim Flynn, William Allison. Personal and district office staff Brent Robertson, Carla DiBlasio, Charlene Puchalla, Cheyenne Foster, Daniel Grey, Devin Krecl, Gary Beck, Jennifer Poole, Kris Skrzycki, Kyle McGowan, Kyle Zebley, Megan Wells, Meghan Dugan, Meghan Graf, Ryan Brooks, Tina McIntosh, Warren Negri. I yield back the balance of my time.