Marlin Stutzman

Mr. STUTZMAN

Mr. STUTZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Arkansas (Mr. Westerman).

Mr. STUTZMAN. Mr. Speaker, if I could inquire as to the balance of my time.

Mr. STUTZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I appreciate each Member coming down tonight to talk about this. This is a very important issue. I am hearing from my constituents back in northeast Indiana every day on the concern that they have about the President's actions. I would like to share just a statistic, that we know that national crime rates, violent crime and gun crime, have both dropped over the last 2\1/2\ decades. I think that is a positive sign that we should all be encouraged about and that we continue to work together to make sure that violent crime and gun crime is eliminated in this country. In 2013, the national crime rate was about half of what it was at its height in 1991. Violent crime had fallen by 51 percent since 1991 and property crime by 43 percent. In 2013, the violent crime rate was the lowest since 1970. Compared with 1993, the peak of U.S. gun homicides, the firearm homicide rate was 49 percent lower in 2010 and there were fewer deaths, even though the Nation's population grew. The victimization rate for other violent crimes with a firearm, assault, robberies, and sex crimes, was 75 percent lower in 2011 than in 1993. Violent, nonfatal crime victimization overall, with or without a firearm, also is down markedly, 72 percent over the past two decades. As one of the former Members mentioned, if you look at the city of Chicago, which has some of the strictest gun laws in the country, it has a huge problem with gun violence in that city. I would like to just read, in closing, again, what I think is really important for all of us, the Second Amendment: ``A well regulated militia, being necessary to the security of a free State, the right of the people to keep and bear arms, shall not be infringed.'' I ask that all of us, as Members of this great body, continue to remember that the Second Amendment is there to protect liberty and freedom. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. STUTZMAN

Mr. STUTZMAN. Mr. Speaker, how much time will we have for our Special Order on the Republican side?

Mr. STUTZMAN

Mr. STUTZMAN. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to warn my colleagues and my constituents about the latest in a string of White House distractions that will not make Americans safer. This time the President is reportedly planning to unilaterally establish new restrictions on private gun transactions, and he may act while Congress is out of session. Mr. Speaker, the President knows he was elected to lead all Americans, even the ones he disagrees with. Thus, I call on him to answer the questions my House colleagues and I are sending to the White House on Monday: First, consider that Washington Post fact-checkers have confirmed their agreement with the sad truth that none of the recent months' and years' major shootings would have been prevented by stricter gun control laws. Why would the President think his proposal would be any different? Second, if this is good policy, why wasn't it included in the executive actions announced by the President in January 2013? Our remaining questions ask whether the President relied on appropriate data to choose this executive order and how it would be enforced. Mr. Speaker, this kind of secretive, unilateral action is not just wrong; it results in bad policy. I call on the President to answer our letter as quickly as possible.

Mr. STUTZMAN

Mr. STUTZMAN. Mr. Speaker, on roll call no. 650, 651, 652, on December 1, 2015 I was unable to cast a vote on S.J. Res. 24 due to being unavoidably detained. Had I been present, I would have voted Yes.

Mr. STUTZMAN

Mr. STUTZMAN. Mr. Chairman, I thank the chairman for his yielding and his work on this issue. I also thank Mr. Guinta for bringing this bill forward. Mr. Chairman, ever since the CFPB introduced its 2013 bulletin on indirect auto lending, the need for this legislation has been clear. First, the CFPB issued its bulletin in order to get around the rulemaking process for indirect auto lending. This kind of guidance is traditionally used as a mere restatement of law or to provide further explanation of rulemaking. It is not traditionally used to make a major policy like fundamentally altering the auto loan market. Second, it is clear that the CFPB is unwilling to publish online all of the data and assumptions it has relied upon for this guidance. Providing these details should be an obvious and easy step to implement for any credible government agency. Unfortunately, because the CFPB is not subject to the appropriations process, they seem unwilling to comply with even the most commonsense oversight by Congress. Therefore, H.R. 1737 is necessary to require the CFPB to provide for a notice and comment period before it can reissue any related guidance. Mr. Chairman, this compromise legislation represents fair and reasonable adjustments to the CFPB's regulatory guidance process intended to promote transparency and accountability for regulators. This legislation is truly a bipartisan effort that was supported in committee by 13 Members on the minority side of the aisle. I am also glad to see widespread support for this legislation from a range of groups, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, the National Automobile Dealers Association, the national RV Dealers Association, the Independent Community Bankers Association, and the Credit Union National Association. Mr. Chairman, last year I was proud to introduce legislation similar to Mr. Guinta's after hearing from so many auto dealers in my State the frustrations they had with this particular rule. I am proud to support this legislation, and I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to help us promote greater transparency and accountability and bring common sense back to the marketplace. Again, I thank the gentleman from New Hampshire (Mr. Guinta).

Mr. STUTZMAN

Mr. STUTZMAN. Mr. Chairman, I rise today in support of private lenders crowded out by the Export-Import Bank. I thank my friend from South Carolina (Mr. Mulvaney) for his work reforming the Export-Import Bank and for introducing this particularly important reform. This amendment is pro-American, pro-jobs, and is entirely consistent with the policy of Ex-Im's lapsed authorization. Last year, Mr. Chairman, and earlier this year, I worked in good faith to reform the Export-Import Bank. The Bank's authorization lapsed in large part because the White House and the Bank's proponents would not take yes for an answer. They refused to work with us on changes, just like they are again tonight, that would prevent any single business from dominating the Bank's activity or to prevent the Bank from crowding out private lenders. That latter point is the one that this amendment will address. This amendment requires loan applicants receiving more than $10 million to certify that they had originally sought out and been denied by two private lenders. This requirement doesn't block anyone from getting a loan. It only requires that they go to traditional banks first. This provision is similar to one required for some Small Business Administration financing as well. Mr. Chairman, one of my central objections to government lending programs is their capacity to destroy and replace private markets. The government inevitably misallocates resources and jobs, ultimately making our industries less competitive and reducing jobs in the long term. Apparently, the authors of the Bank's prior reauthorization also agree to that point because, according to the Ex-Im's charter, it is ``the policy of the United States that the Bank in the exercise of its functions should supplement and encourage and not compete with private capital.'' Let me emphasize that last part, that the Bank should not compete with private capital. Unfortunately, I have heard from lenders in Indiana who say that, absent Ex-Im, they would be financing more exports. If the Bank is going to exist at all, the role of the Bank should only be as a lender of last resort. The Bank is only intended to fill gaps in the private lending market. Any larger role the Bank plays is a violation of its own charter. Worse, granting the Bank a larger role would exacerbate market distortions that will, ultimately, fail countries and the businesses that rely on them. This amendment simply ensures that the Export-Import Bank stays within its bounds. If the Bank is truly a lender of last resort, this amendment will not affect its lending. If it is, in fact, competing with private lenders despite clear congressional intent, then this amendment will start to correct the problem. Mr. Chairman, the world is watching. Developing countries are deciding whether to pursue American-style capitalism or Chinese-style central planning. As Speaker Ryan put it last week on this House floor, we should be exporting democratic capitalism, not crony capitalism. If this Bank is going to be reauthorized, we should at least make a real effort to let private lenders have the first opportunity to finance exports. I know that many of Ex-Im's proponents agree that the Bank is not a long-term solution to foreign competition. Even Ex-Im Chair Fred Hochberg agrees, telling us earlier this year in committee that, in a perfect world, there would be no export credit agency of the United States. If our priority is long-term economic growth and employment, then we must not be tempted to rely on central planned exports the way that China and Europe do. Mr. Chairman, this is a commonsense amendment, and I ask my colleagues to support it.

Mr. STUTZMAN

Mr. STUTZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I want to acknowledge the 40th anniversary and celebrate the accomplishments of Aging & In-Home Services of Northeast Indiana, Inc. AIHS is a private, non-for-profit social service organization serving seniors and persons with disabilities of all ages since 1975. It is the Area III Agency on Aging as designated by the U.S. Administration on Community Living and the State of Indiana. As such, it is the primary resource for older adults, persons with disabilities, and their caregivers, and a funding source of services including support for the Councils on Aging in their nine- county service area: Allen, Adams, DeKalb, Huntington, LaGrange, Noble, Steuben, Wells, and Whitley. The organization works tirelessly to strengthen local and statewide systems for advocacy and protection of older adults, and other at-risk vulnerable populations. In 2014 AIHS touched the lives of more than 57,000 individuals through its continuum of programs to support safe and independent living at home. All services are provided regardless of race, age, color, religion, sex, disability, national origin or ancestry. In the past year, the agency has received national recognition for strategic leadership and initiatives in bridging the gap between traditional Older Americans Act programs and the new healthcare model of service provision and payment sources, including: Administration on Community Living (ACL), U.S. Department of Health & Human Services, invitation to prestigious ``thought leaders'' roundtable. Hartford Foundation invitation to multidisciplinary ``Change AGEnt'' conference of geriatric specialists from across the United States. Co-presenters with National Institute on Health and ACL at National Association of Area Agencies on Aging conference on Recruiting Older Adults into Research. Community-based Care Transitions Program, funded by Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services, achieved milestone of assisting 10,000 patients in reducing hospital readmission in 11 hospitals across 32 counties. National Committee for Quality Assurance (NCQA) ``Standards for Long- Term Services and Support and Medical Care'' Learning Collaborative, selected as 1 of only 10 organizations nationwide. Rosalynn Carter Institute on Caregiving National Summit, invited to present showcasing achievements of evidence-based chronic disease telephonic support featuring staff, local caregiver and their care recipient. The organization's 40th Annual Meeting and Awards Ceremony will be held on Wednesday, October 28, 2015, at the Parkview Mirro Center in Fort Wayne, Indiana. Joan Lunden, a cancer survivor, journalist, television host, and renowned caregiver will be the featured speaker. I ask that my colleagues join me today in celebrating this organization's service to the most vulnerable of our citizens in northeast Indiana, and extend our best wishes for their future.

Mr. STUTZMAN

Mr. STUTZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the fifteen-year tenure of Dr. Earl Brooks, as President of Trine University in Angola, Indiana. Having once been a student at Trine University, it is an honor to recognize Dr. Brooks for his many years of service to the academic community in Northeast Indiana. During his fifteen years at Trine, Dr. Brooks has significantly increased enrollment while maintaining a remarkable, above-average career-placement percentage for his students. He transitioned the university from undergraduate to graduate and doctoral degree status and even moved university athletics to the NCAA. Mr. Speaker, I submit an article from the publication, Business People, highlighting Dr. Brooks' fifteen-year tenure and his many notable accomplishments. In closing, I would like to thank Dr. Brooks for his distinguished service and wish him well as he continues to lead Trine University. [From Business People, August 1, 2015] Giving Credit Where It's Due (By Jon Detweiler) While The American College President Study reports a downtrend nationally in average leadership tenure--from eight and a half years in 2006 to an average of seven years in 2011--Trine University President Dr. Earl D. Brooks II completes 15 years at the helm, with ongoing plans firmly in place for years to come. When Brooks stepped into leadership 15 years ago, he was the youngest college president in the state. Now, he ranks second on the list of longest tenures at Indiana colleges and universities. Why is Trine celebrating Dr. Brooks' tenure? What has defined his success over the past 15 years? His list of accomplishments is too long to enumerate here, but some highlights include: Total enrollment up from 1,350 to 3,800; 78% of that increase experienced over the past five years, with an additional 15% projected for Fall 2015 Transition from undergraduate to graduate and doctorate degree status Upgrade of athletic programs from NAIA to NCAA Successful completion of the largest capital campaign in Trine's history ($90 million) and raised 55% of current $75 million Invest in Excellence campaign Update and revitalization of the physical campus through a $100 million investment in new projects, including eight new apartment-style student housing units Renovation of the Health Sciences Education Center Expansion of welcome/admissions center New university center and library New athletic and recreation center, complete with a new stadium Renovation of the administration building and the T. Furth Center for Performing Arts Renovation of Ford Hall, home of the Ketner School of Business Construction of the Jim and Joan Bock Center for Innovation & Biomedical Engineering New College of Engineering and Business Full-time faculty bolstered by 60%, from 53 to 89 A career-placement average of 99.7% for Trine graduates, compared to the national average of 75.6% as reported by the National Association of Colleges and Employers in 2013-2014 To celebrate what has been accomplished under Dr. Brooks' leadership, however, must lead naturally to a discussion of why he has been so successful. ``I started in the classroom teaching, which I still love,'' says Brooks. ``You never grow tired of that exposure to young people.'' After teaching biology and physiology, Brooks worked his way up from classroom professor to department chair, then to school dean. At universities in Tennessee and Delaware, he served as both vice president for academic affairs and executive vice president/chief operating officer, eventually becoming immersed in the various operations of a college campus. But three years into his role as chief academic officer at Lincoln Memorial University in Harrogate, Tennessee, Brooks awakened to the crucial function of fundraising and development. Consequently, his academic history and his fundraising experience together produced a love for administration that prompted his desire to pursue the presidency. ``I'd learned through that process the two most critical areas for the success of an institution,'' says Brooks: ``The enrollment aspect and the fundraising aspect.'' He attributes part of Trine's success as a team to understanding and focusing on those two priorities. ``Financially, enrollment and fundraising drive the institution.'' The fact that higher education has seen drastic changes during Dr. Brooks' tenure emphasizes its focus. ``Higher education has become more and more of a business,'' he says. ``We've learned to operate like a business.'' Schools are becoming consumer-driven now, which makes the student a customer. ``Kids arriving today need an education with a career in mind.'' Trine's astonishing 99.7 percent career-placement average for graduates is hardwired directly to the school's career focus. ``We're fortunate to be a school that is more professional-oriented in our degree offerings, which gives us a clear advantage,'' says Brooks. Possibly the greater advantage for students, however, is the school's connection to local business and industry. By arranging practicums and internships with local companies, the faculty sets up its students to gain valuable experience outside the classroom and to build relationships with potential employers. ``The key to success today--particularly on the education side, but also the job-placement side--is that linkage to business and industry,'' says Brooks. In fact, all new programming at Trine is seen through the lens of its potential for career outcomes. If Dr. Brooks had a word of advice for his peers, he might add two elements to the list of reasons why he has succeeded as a leader. ``Don't be afraid to take a risk. Be bold,'' he says. ``Be bold in your vision, stick to your beliefs, listen to the market but don't be afraid to take a calculated risk.'' Second, drop the long-range planning. ``I'm not sure that long-range planning fits higher education,'' he says. ``Ten-year plans don't fit, so we've adopted a philosophy we call a rolling three-year plan.'' Here again, a look at why Dr. Brooks has succeeded must be cut short, primarily because the president would rather talk about who has made him successful. ``People make the institution. You try to hire great people with talents greater than yours and not be threatened by that,'' he says with warmth and a wry smile. Indeed, the plaque on his desk reads, ``There is no limit to what a man can do or where he can go if he doesn't mind who gets the credit.'' Whether luck or talent, Brooks has the knack for attracting good people to an organization at all levels--faculty, staff, board of trustees, donors and, of course, students. ``You need good people to lead an amazing transformation,'' he says. And while Brooks is no longer in the classroom, he still finds multiple ways to engage the students. He maintains an open-door policy with them, an ideal that one might question until Brooks hands you his business card, which includes his home phone number. ``That connection with students is something that just never goes away,'' he says. This year, Trine University is celebrating the 15-year tenure of its president, Dr. Earl D. Brooks II, and for good reason. He has done much and he has gone far, and for that, he deserves a fair share of the credit.

Mr. STUTZMAN

Mr. STUTZMAN. Madam Speaker, what does it say about this Congress that today we are here on the House floor debating the killing and harvesting of aborted babies? How can there possibly be two sides to this? I don't understand. How can we not take a step back and look at this objectively? The gentlewoman from California mentioned that these videos were highly edited. I don't know if they have watched the videos, but if you watch the videos, how can you say that the doctor who is pulling salad from a salad bowl and mentions that she can take the babies and crush the top and the bottom parts of the babies and harvest the body parts in between is highly edited? This is not. These are not. This information on these videos shows the barbaric activity. These bills before us today deal with this problem. Madam Speaker, I implore that this Chamber take a step back and look at what is on these videos and the information that we have on these videos and realize that we must move forward on these two bills and stop this barbaric action.

Mr. STUTZMAN

Mr. STUTZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in sadness over the loss of two northeast Indiana community leaders. Jac Price, a lifetime LaGrange County native, passed away on Sunday, September 6, at the age of 76. Jac, a member of the United States Army, a LaGrange County commissioner and business leader, loved his country, State, and community very much. In a testament to this, last month, Jac was awarded the prestigious Sagamore of the Wabash award--our State's highest honor--by Governor Mike Pence. He will be missed by many, and I rise today to honor Jac's service to our State. Indiana also lost Garrett Mayor Tonya Hoeffel on Sunday as well. Tonya passed away at the age of 52, living a life dedicated to DeKalb County and the city of Garrett, Indiana. Her heart for serving her community represented true Hoosier values and is an example for all of us to follow. Her contagious smile will be forever missed. I continue to keep her husband, children, and family in my prayers.

Mr. STUTZMAN

Mr. STUTZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of protecting the lives of the unborn and condemn the barbaric practices of Planned Parenthood as described by the foundation's medical directors in recently released video footage. The heartless and blatant disregard for the sanctity of life reveals the systemic problems with this organization, specifically, their culture of death. Mr. Speaker, let's think about this: How can life-giving organs be considered more valuable than the very life of the baby from which they are taking those organs? Hopefully, these sobering clips will embolden the Senate to move on finishing the fight to protect the unborn that are medically documented to feel pain at 20 weeks and pass H.R. 36, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. In closing, Mr. Speaker, as the veil is pulled back and the practices of Planned Parenthood are further exposed, I remain steadfast in preventing taxpayer dollars from funding this organization. We must protect the innocent lives of the unborn in every way that we can.

Mr. STUTZMAN

Mr. STUTZMAN. Mr. Speaker, in light of the third Greek bailout announced this week, I rise with great concern over our own Nation's finances. Mr. Speaker, last month, the Congressional Budget Office released their ``2015 Long-Term Budget Outlook.'' This report paints a troubling picture; with interest rates expected to rise, an aging population, increasing healthcare costs per person, and more and more recipients of government payments and subsidies, our Nation's debt held by the public is expected to rise to 100 percent of our economy in just 25 years. Only one other time in our history, the end of World War II, has it ever been higher. Mr. Speaker, doing nothing about this coming crisis is not an option. We can avoid the very predictable fiscal mistakes that have caused so much turmoil in Europe. We need policies that spur economic growth. Just yesterday, the White House revised down their GDP growth estimates for this year from 3 percent down to 2 percent. Mr. Speaker, let's rein in our government's out-of-control spending and balance our budget, which will get our economy moving again.

Mr. STUTZMAN

Mr. STUTZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of H.R. 160, the Protect Medical Innovation Act, and I appreciate the work that Congressman Paulsen has done on this very important issue that has affected my district dramatically. As a sitting U.S. Congressman of Warsaw, Indiana, known as the Orthopedic Capital of the World, the burdensome medical device tax hits very close to home for my constituents. In fact, Mr. Speaker, the Hoosier State as a whole is second in the Nation in exports of life science products, and across the State over 20,000 Hoosiers are directly employed by this industry. The impact on our communities and our neighbors is one of the reasons I have fought so long and hard alongside Mr. Paulsen and my colleagues to repeal this very destructive tax. Mr. Speaker, back home in Indiana, Hoosiers know that taxation does not create jobs; it kills them. In fact, a recent study has shown that the medical device tax, implemented to fund ObamaCare, has cost more than 33,000 jobs nationally so far. Mr. Speaker, repealing this medical device tax is a simple, commonsense reform, and I urge my colleagues to support this legislation.

Ms. STUTZMAN

Ms. STUTZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise with concern over the President's ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran, and I rise in support of the legislation that the House passed yesterday, the Iran Nuclear Agreement Review Act. Mr. Speaker, there is absolutely no guarantee that any final agreement negotiated by Secretary Kerry and President Obama will be a good deal. There is no guarantee this agreement will be good for the security of the United States, good for the stability of the Middle East, and good for the security of our close ally, Israel. By passing H.R. 1191, we are empowering Congress to review the final agreement and block any bad deal negotiated by the President. Mr. Speaker, June 30, the deadline for the negotiations, is nearing quickly. When, and if, the President is able to arrive at a deal, I encourage my colleagues to take a strong, thorough look at all of the details. There is too much at stake in the world to get this wrong.

Mr. STUTZMAN

Mr. STUTZMAN. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with great concern over the Obama administration's ongoing nuclear negotiations with Iran. I also rise in support of the efforts of our colleagues in the Senate to ensure that any agreement made with Iran has the consent of our constituents' elected officials here in Congress. Mr. Speaker, we have seen, in regions across the world, the Obama administration's limited ability to enforce its international agreements and promote our country's interests. The recent horrific chemical weapon attacks in Syria, the growth of ISIS, and Moscow's continued dominance in Ukraine all call into question the strength and resolve needed by this administration to enforce an agreement with one of our Nation's most dangerous foes: Iran. As these negotiations continue, I strongly urge my colleagues to carefully consider the ability of the administration to uphold and enforce the terms decided on with Iran and the impact that this will have on our security and the security of one of our Nation's closest allies: Israel. Mr. Speaker, I believe that this is a critical moment for our Nation and for the world and for future generations. We must be determined to make sure that enemies do not get a hold of weapons that could destroy our friends and allies.

Mr. STUTZMAN

Mr. STUTZMAN. Madam Speaker, I rise today in support of H.R. 1105, the Death Tax Repeal Act. I want to thank Chairman Brady and Chairman Ryan for their leadership in addressing this issue that is so important for my district in Indiana and for many folks all across the Hoosier State. In Indiana, under the leadership of Governor Mike Pence, we officially repealed our State's death tax in 2013, and with this bill we can do the same thing on the Federal level. As a fourth-generation farmer, I can see how family-owned businesses already struggle each year with a destructive mess that is our Federal Tax Code. The death tax, which is a double tax on Americans' hard work, only adds to the problem. It stifles prosperity, and it prevents individuals and families from making the personal decisions they want to make with their savings and their property for generations to follow them. Madam Speaker, it is time to repeal the death tax. Only accounting for a fraction of a percent worth of annual revenue for the Federal Government, let's call it what it really is: it is a distorted attempt to redistribute the earnings of Americans' hard work. With that, I strongly urge my colleagues to support this commonsense, bipartisan legislation.

Mr. STUTZMAN

Mr. STUTZMAN. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. STUTZMAN. Yes.

Mr. STUTZMAN. Mr. Chairman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. STUTZMAN. Mr. Chairman, today, I rise in strong support of the Blueprint for a Balanced Budget, the Republican Study Committee's substitute amendment that will expand opportunities for middle class families, grow our economy, and strengthen our national defense. First of all, I want to say I appreciate Chairman Price and his hard work on the budget that is being presented from the Republican Conference, and I am looking forward to the continued debate as we make sure that we look forward to strengthening our economy and America. Mr. Chairman, it is very clear we are on the wrong path. Despite improving indicators, folks across the country know that our economic recovery has been sluggish at best. Over 90 million Americans are not participating in the workforce, wages are stagnant, and businesses are struggling with the uncertainty about what new tax or regulation is waiting for them just around the corner. No matter how many stimulus packages, shovel-ready jobs, and summer recoveries the President promises, things aren't getting better fast enough. Unfortunately, on many fronts the fundamentals are getting worse. Since President Obama took office, our national debt has increased by 70 percent and has now soared past $18 trillion. To make matters worse, the President's recently proposed budget calls for even more taxes and even more spending, and never, ever balances. Fortunately, we now have a choice. We can continue down the road President Obama wants us to with a reckless tax and spend agenda that will add $8.5 trillion to our debt and does nothing to reform our soon- to-be bankrupt social safety nets, or we can decide to make the bold and necessary decisions our constituents sent us here to make. With the Republican Study Committee's blueprint, we can fix our broken system, and we can build a better future for the American people. We do this by addressing our Nation's challenges head on. First, it is clear we must change Washington's out-of-control spending habits. If we don't, by 2023, we could be spending more money paying off the interest on our debt than we do on our national defense. I would like to show you a chart, Mr. Chairman. As you can see, under the President's plan, because of the addiction to borrowing, our Federal Government continues to rack up more interest payments year after year. Keep in mind, this is money that we have to pay as a Federal Government, that we cannot go to a line item and say, We are going to cut that particular payment. We have to pay the interest on our debt. This is locked in due to our borrowing. In fact, under CBO's projections, if our interest rates on government notes increase by just 1 percent for 10 years, this expense could go up by a whopping $1.75 trillion. I would like to show this in particular. Last year, in the 10-year window, this particular bar is $785 billion alone, much more than what our defense spending would cost. We have to act, and with the RSC blueprint we do. Our budget cuts $7.1 trillion in Federal spending over the next decade and balances the budget in 6 years. The only way we are going to ever start paying our debt is if we get to a balanced budget. By enacting commonsense reforms, we are able to have a surplus. By year 2021, we will have a surplus so we can start paying that debt down. If you look at the President's budget, you will never, ever see a balanced budget, and so we will never, ever deal with our debt. In addition, our budget puts forward a pro-growth set of tax reforms that will make the Tax Code simpler, fairer, and more competitive. We do this by lowering rates and simplifying brackets. We reduce taxes on small businesses and corporations, and we encourage money that is setting overseas to return home by transitioning to a fairer, smarter territorial tax system. To get the government out of one-sixth of America's economy, through reconciliation, our plan repeals ObamaCare in full. However, we replace it. We replace the failed law with the American Health Care Reform Act, a patient-centered, free market, and affordable way to provide health care for all Americans. This act allows individuals and families to deduct health care costs, expands access to health savings accounts, and creates options and choices for Americans to purchase their coverage across State lines. Our budget also strengthens national defense. Our Federal Government's primary role, number one constitutional responsibility, is the defense of the Nation. By providing our men and women in uniform with $570 billion in our base defense budget, we are able to ensure our military has the resources it needs to meet the challenges of the 21st century. Mr. Chairman, in 1962, discretionary programs made up a majority of government spending. Today, it is the reverse. So-called mandatory programs, like we see right here, are on autopilot, and this makes up two-thirds of the budget. As you can see, these programs are on a clock. We can see that Social Security Disability Insurance goes bankrupt in 2016. Social Security retirement for Americans all across the country goes bankrupt in 2034. And, of course, Medicare isn't too far behind that; it is actually in front of Social Security, and goes bankrupt in 2030. The clock is ticking, Mr. Chairman, and we need to do something sooner rather than later. This is very predictable and it is very preventable if we act now. The President doesn't do that. In contrast, our plan does, and it makes the critical structural reforms necessary to preserve these entitlement programs for current and future seniors. Let's not let the solvable problems of today become the causes of decline tomorrow. Let's stand together and let's pass a serious budget through a serious conversation that reforms the way Washington operates. Let's pass a budget that will allow opportunities for middle class families to flourish. Let's pass a budget that will keep America strong for years to come at home and abroad. Mr. Chairman, I reserve the balance of my time.

Mr. STUTZMAN. Mr. Chairman, first, I would like to just mention that CBO is actually projecting that our economic growth is going to slow down. That is happening under this administration's policies, and it is not helping Americans recover as quickly as possible. This is a serious budget that does deal with those challenges, and it is straightforward. We believe we have to get to a balanced budget sooner rather than later so we can have a stronger economy. With that, Mr. Chairman, I yield 4 minutes to the gentleman from Texas (Mr. Flores), chairman of the RSC.

Mr. STUTZMAN. Mr. Chairman, I yield myself such time as I may consume. I will just point out really quickly that I appreciate the other side's compliments on how we budget for defense, but let's remember this, that defense is only 18 percent of the overall Federal Government spending. As you see on this pie chart, this is defense discretionary spending right here, $596 billion. This is nondefense discretionary spending. The rest of this pie, which is the rest of the $3.5 trillion in Federal Government spending, is untouched. It is on autopilot. Here is the interest. All of these programs continue to grow. If we don't protect these programs and reform them, this is only going to get squeezed more and more. If we want to protect the country, we have to recognize that we are going to have to do it in a way that puts our priorities in order. Mr. Chairman, I yield 2 minutes to the gentleman from North Carolina (Mr. Pittenger).

Mr. STUTZMAN. Mr. Chairman, may I inquire as to how much time we have remaining?