Scott Tipton

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize the Business Incubator Center of Grand Junction, Colorado. Founded in 1987, the Business Incubator Center is a private non-profit organization with the sole mission of fostering economic growth and entrepreneurial spirit in Western Colorado. Earlier this year, the Business Incubator Center was named ``Incubator of the Year'' by the National Business Incubation Association for the second time in its 25 year history. Working with both start-up and established businesses in the Grand Junction area, the Business Incubator Center has played a significant role in building and maintaining thousands of businesses. Over the past 25 years, the Business Incubator Center has helped launch more than 575 businesses in the community, which have gone on to generate more than $156 million in revenue, and create more than 10,000 jobs. The impact the Business Incubator Center has had on the community is immeasurable. In both 1996 and 2013, BIC was chosen by the National Business Incubation Association as America's top incubator, well deserved honors for this vital organization that has led to the creation of so many jobs. The success of the Business Incubator Center's model has sparked innovation and fostered prosperity for thousands of Coloradans. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize The Business Incubator Center of Grand Junction, Colorado for its commitment to the economic development of Western Colorado.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I would like today to be able to begin with a quote: We are tired of waiting, and we believe the time has come to make the final decision on one of the most important projects to unlock the energy future for this country, the Keystone XL pipeline. Mr. Speaker, this quote is not from an energy titan. It comes from Sean McGarvey of the AFL-CIO. The time has come for America and North America to be able to seek and achieve energy self-sufficiency. This is part of the solution. Americans are tired of not planning for the future. We need to unleash that potential to be able to put our people back to work. The time has come. The time is now. Let's get America back to work. Let's create energy security right here on this continent.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, there are probably very few issues that touch Americans, families, our States, and small businesses more personally than health care. This House has dealt numerous times with addressing the Affordable Care Act. But when we talk about it on that very personal level--of a mom taking a sick child down to visit the doctor, to a senior citizen who's counting on that hospital being able to be there, to be able to deliver the care that they need--we need to recognize that the overarching view that Washington typically performs when passing a bill and delivering it to the American people, that it has very real consequences, very real impacts. In my district in rural Colorado--and in fact throughout rural America--there is a looming health care crisis that is just on the horizon. That ability to be able to go to the doctor, to be able to have a hospital that's going to be there to be able to provide the service that's necessary--they're feeling that real impact right now at home. We've had a lot of discussion about that big, overarching bill: the IPAB boards that are going to be making the medical choices for our senior citizens--indeed for all Americans--rather than that choice being made between the doctor and the patient; about the State mandates that are coming through; the Medicare payment cuts; higher health costs; the budget that is now going to be estimated at $1.76 trillion in costs over a 10-year period, and rising, on a struggling American economy, on struggling families and small businesses; the 150 new boards that are being established; the better than 12,000 pages of new regulations that our hospitals, our doctors, and our families are going to have to be dealing with; and the short form, to simply be able to fill out and be able to apply for the Affordable Care Act, 21 pages just to be able to get insurance. We need, Mr. Speaker, to be talking about those real impacts, not from the 30,000-foot view, but on the ground at home. I recently went to Delta Memorial Hospital in my district, a small community hospital that's proud of their service. In fact, they've had multiple surveys that went through and rated their service among the best. They are now being challenged by the Affordable Care Act in terms of that health care delivery. They have a program called the Recovery Audit Contracts conducted by individual companies that don't even have to have health care background, but they're going back in and reassessing costs. And they're having to pay back money now, money that they simply do not have. We're seeing reimbursements to doctors drop at Delta Memorial Hospital, making it harder for the physicians to be able to deliver that service. These are small hospitals. They don't have big HR departments; they're there for the health of the community. But they are seeing real challenges in being able to continue. In fact, in many of our rural hospitals, they're beginning to wonder if they're going to be able to continue to deliver that service. I've talked to doctors in Delta, Montrose, Grand Junction, Pueblo, throughout my entire district, who are frustrated that they are now seeing their reimbursements--money that they need to have to be able to conduct their business--being cut by the Federal Government, the Federal Government determining what the value of that service is going to be and saying you can afford it. That's not real life. What we are seeing now are senior citizens who just became senior citizens by the virtue of a birthday over the last few months, they cannot find a doctor who is willing to take Medicare, simply because they can no longer afford it. We have a system, Mr. Speaker, that completely forgot the original premise that every American, I believe, can agree on. We need to have real reform, but we need to go back to that initial premise of affordability and accessibility. The Affordable Care Act fails on both levels. We are seeing right now, in my home State of Colorado, estimates for individual insurance policies this year are going to go up an estimated 23 percent or more. Small businesses, who are trying to provide group insurance, are seeing their costs going up this year estimated better than 17 percent. Have we achieved more affordability, as was promised? We have not. When we are talking about that accessibility issue, when that senior citizen in Delta, Colorado, walks into a doctor's office and is told that they aren't accepting any new patients, are we achieving that accessibility? We are not. Mr. Speaker, we need to go back to that original premise, because so many small businesses right now that would like to be able to deliver that service are feeling the impact. I have a friend who owns several small Pizza Huts throughout the West, and she is dealing with those additional costs that are hurting her business and her ability to be able to deliver that real service for her employees. We have a challenge in this country, Mr. Speaker, and it can and will be addressed if we will go back to that original premise of affordability and accessibility. The Affordable Care Act fails on both points. Let's roll up our sleeves and get the job done for the American people.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Dale Sowards of Manassa, Colorado. Mr. Sowards passed away on March 29, 2013 at his home, he was 95. A native and lifelong resident of Western Colorado, Mr. Sowards' story is one of public service and community involvement that lives on as an inspiration to us all. Born in Manassa on May 7, 1917, Mr. Sowards went on to receive a degree in Forestry and range Management from Colorado State University and on Christmas Eve of 1937, he married his high school sweetheart Orva Nielson. Following college, Mr. Sowards spent five years serving Colorado with the U.S. Forest Service. He went on the teach biology, chemistry, and agriculture in Manassa and later taught the farm training program at Adams State College. Mr. Sowards' life in civil service began as a member of the Manassa school board, he later served the President of the Cumbres-La Manga Cattle Association and the Manassa Land and Irrigation Company for 16 years. Mr. Sowards went on to become County Commissioner and, in 1976, was chosen as the Most Outstanding Colorado Commissioner. That same year, he was elected President of the National Association of Counties' Western Region (NaCO). As a NaCO President, Mr. Sowards played a pivotal role in the passage of Payments-In-Lieu-of-Taxes, or PILT, legislation which compensates counties for the tax revenue lost by federal holdings of land. Counties use these funds for education, public safety, and infrastructure projects. In recognition of his efforts, NaCo's annual award for outstanding service of public lands bears his name. Mr. Sowards was an active member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and served as Superintendent of the Sunday school late in his life. He is survived by two children in Manassa, 10 grandchildren and 15 great-grandchildren. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Mr. Dale Sowards for his lifelong dedication to the people of Western Colorado.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Mr. Daniel Newmyer of Center, Colorado. Mr. Newmyer is one of the many exceptional teachers in the great state of Colorado whose passion and dedication for his students make him a great example for educators everywhere and a strong community leader. Mr. Newmyer graduated from the University of Colorado at Boulder with a degree in Science Administration and went on to receive a Master's degree from Regis University in Education. In 2009, he joined the Center Consolidated School District to teach math and science at Center High School. Since becoming a teacher, Mr. Newmyer has strived to bring science and math to life for his students, always looking for new and exciting ways to inspire his students. Mr. Newmyer has received numerous awards and recognitions for his innovation in the classroom, and his dedication as an educator. This year, the Astronauts Memorial Foundation, NASA, and the Space Foundation jointly presented him with the Alan Shepard Technology in Education Award and Mr. Newmyer was named the San Luis Valley Teacher of the Year. Because of Mr. Newmyer's efforts, Center High School has become one of the top STEM schools in the state of Colorado. He has worked to procure grants to allow his students to participate in local, state, and national science and engineering competitions. He has also pioneered a computer-based learning system that uses flight simulators to boost math scores. Mr. Newmyer is a perfect example of how technology can drive innovation in education. His creativity and hard work are an inspiration to teachers across the country. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Daniel Newmyer for his dedication to his students and his outstanding accomplishments as an educator.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Clara Bancroft of Durango, Colorado. Clara is one of the exceptional stories to come out of our Nation's complex immigration system. An Argentine by birth, Clara chose to pursue a United States citizen residency and eventual citizenship. She did so entirely within the legal immigration system. Born in Las Garcitas in the Chaco province of northern Argentina in 1967, Clara was the ninth of 13 children. Her parents were poor ranchers who often struggled to afford food, and her childhood home had no electricity. When Clara was only 8 years old, she had to leave school and become the sole caretaker for her grandmother. After the passing of her grandmother, she moved to Buenos Aires at the age of 16, where she worked as a nanny and returned to school. In 2001, while working as a receptionist at the BV Group, she met her soon-to-be husband, Paul Bancroft. In February of 2002, Clara came to visit her future husband as a tourist under the U.S. visa waiver program. While she was in America, that program was unexpectedly ended with Argentina. Respecting U.S. immigration law, Mrs. Bancroft returned to her home country as she worked to be able to get her visa. While still navigating the immigration system, Mr. and Mrs. Bancroft were married in October of 2002, and after nearly a year of legal battles, Mrs. Bancroft returned to the United States and reunited with her husband in January of 2003. Since coming to America, Mrs. Bancroft has learned English, and in 2008 the Bancrofts welcomed their son, Bill, into their family. On November 15, 2012, Clara took the oath of citizenship in the United States. She is a proud citizen and loves her adopted country. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Mrs. Clara Bancroft for overcoming adversity and achieving the American Dream by becoming a citizen of the United States of America.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. I thank my colleague from Colorado for the time. Mr. Speaker, we have a very simple question before us as Americans: When we're looking at young families struggling to be able to pay bills, senior citizens on fixed incomes wondering how they're going to be able to make that next payment to be able to heat their homes, or cool them as summer approaches, is it an appropriate time for this Nation to seek what Jimmy Carter, in this very Chamber in 1976, challenged this country to do--to be able to achieve energy sufficiency? The answer can only be ``yes.'' The time is now for this Nation to be able to act. We see Americans struggling to be able to pay those bills. We're seeing Americans right now that are worried about being able to hold on to their jobs. This is an opportunity to be able to put Americans back to work and to be able to achieve that true energy self-sufficiency in this Nation. And it can be all-of-the-above. In this last year, we passed a bill that I presented, planning for America's energy future, that enumerated that all-of-the-above strategy--wind, solar, hydroelectric energy, as well as coal, gas, our natural resources, to be able to develop them right here in America, to put our people back to work, and to be able to create that energy certainty. When we look at this worldscape in which we currently live, the threats that are there, it is appropriate for this Nation to truly achieve energy self-sufficiency. Through the bill that we just passed through the House of Representatives that my colleague noted, in the State of Colorado, through the ditches, the pipelines that have been built by the Bureau of Reclamation, we can generate as much electricity just in the State of Colorado as the Glen Canyon dam with small hydroelectric units. It can be that all-of-the-above strategy, but we also need to increase the production of our traditional fuel sources as well. The time is appropriate. We have the resources and we have the technology to be able to do that. The question yet to be answered is: Will we rise to be able to actually meet that challenge? As Americans, let us be committed to developing American energy on American soil, to be able to create American jobs, put Americans back to work, and to be able to create our own energy certainty at this time. The future of this country, the future for our children rely on those commonsense solutions. We're going to be putting them forward in this House. We're calling the American people and the Senate and the President to join us in that effort.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, we've all heard the statement ``a day late and a dollar short.'' Well, the President is now 2 months late with his budget and billions of dollars short. It's clear, this President wants to balance the increase of government on the backs of the American people. He believes that government needs the resources more than hardworking Americans. We put forward a budget to be able to protect our senior citizens, to be able to build for the future for our children. The real approach, when we're talking about balance, is to have a budget that truly balances. This administration continues to grow government, continues to waste the hardworking dollars of the American taxpayer. Let's stand up and put politics aside and stand up for the people of this country and put forward a budget that will truly put America back to work.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. With that, Madam Chairwoman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TIPTON. I yield to the gentleman from Washington.

Mr. TIPTON. Madam Chairwoman, I offer this amendment to provide technical corrections and to eliminate drafting inconsistencies between this year's bill and its counterpart in the 112th Congress. This amendment reflects changes sought by the Bureau of Reclamation with respect to definitions, to more accurately cover intended matters and properly coincide with existing law and Bureau regulations. Furthermore, the amendment clarifies that nothing in the bill affects existing arrangements between irrigation and water districts and the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission.

Mr. TIPTON. Madam Chairwoman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. TIPTON. Madam Chairman, we've heard talk today about creating American jobs on American soil to be able to create American energy. No bill better achieves that end than H.R. 678. The Napolitano amendment, by striking the provision altogether that she is offering, will allow no alternative to be able to streamline the projects' approval process, and this amendment literally will ensure that small investment in small hydropower projects would not be able to be achieved. I think it's important to note we're spending $1.750 trillion per year in regulatory costs in this Nation. Now, are all regulations bad? No, they aren't. But redundant regulations which drive up costs, which inhibit our ability to be able to create jobs to be able to put Americans back to work and to be able to create clean, affordable energy should not stand in the way. Let's put Americans back to work. Let's work together. The purpose of my amendment is to be able to reach a reasonable compromise between the two opposing ideas in regards to the NEPA provision on manmade projects. As Chairman Hastings just ably noted, these are manmade ditches. We have no impediment that's going to be looked at when it comes to endangered species, be it fish or wildlife. This has already gone through the desired process of environmental review. So does it make good common sense to say that an area that's been reviewed that was made by men does not have to go through an additional review process in order to be able to create those jobs and to be able to create American energy? I think that's a sensible approach for us to be able to pursue. With that, I would urge opposition and defeat of the Napolitano amendment. Let's get this job done and let's truly work to get Americans back to work. With that, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TIPTON. Madam Chairman, I move to strike the last word.

Mr. TIPTON. Reclaiming my time, I thank the gentleman for his comments. With that, Madam Chairman, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. TIPTON. I yield to the gentleman.

Mr. TIPTON. Madam Chairwoman, I offer this amendment in response to the concerns of my colleagues on the other side of the aisle and at the request of the broad range of irrigation districts, water conservation and conservancy districts, and public utilities that are supporting this bill and this commonsense amendment. I'm pleased to have the support of my Democratic colleague Jim Costa on this effort and the support of the National Hydropower Association, the Family Farm Alliance, the National Water Resources Association, and the American Public Power Association. This amendment removes the NEPA waiver in the bill and instead codifies the application of the Bureau of Reclamation's categorical exclusion process under the National Environmental Policy Act for small hydropower projects covered by this bill. This alternative provision would still ensure streamlining the approval process for clean renewable energy and help provide certainty for investors and job creators, while providing flexibility to the Bureau to adjust to changing circumstances moving forward. By advancing these projects under the Bureau's categorical exclusion process, we ensure that all of the elements in that process are retained, including agency discretion for examining extraordinary circumstances. In addition, the amendment specifically mentions codifying the categorical exclusion process for small conduit hydropower. This is an approach that is supported by Trout Unlimited in its March 19, 2013 letter, which states: Congress should direct BOR to create a categorical exclusion for small conduit hydropower. That's exactly what this amendment does. The use of a categorical exclusion for small conduit hydropower development can mean the difference between private investment in a public good with a multitude of benefits, and unreasonable financial costs and lengthy delays that lead to untapped potential. My hope is that this amendment, which is broadly supported by the diverse range of groups invested in the bill who are committed to ensuring continued environmental protection, will assuage any reservations about this effort to promote clean renewable energy and allow us to be able to move forward united in our support.

Mr. TIPTON. Madam Chairwoman, I have an amendment at the desk.

Mr. TIPTON. I thank Chairman Hastings for yielding. Mr. Chairman, H.R. 678 is a commonsense piece of legislation to foster clean, renewable energy development, create rural jobs in America, and to do so without taxpayer cost, while returning revenues to the U.S. Treasury and, by all measures, should be considered low- hanging fruit, as our fellow Member has just noted, for congressional action. There's been a lot of discussion on both sides of the aisle about the need to be able to pursue an all-of-the-above strategy. Hydropower, as the cleanest and most abundant natural energy source, should be at the forefront of any comprehensive natural energy policy. Increased conduit hydropower serves a number of purposes. It produces renewable and emissions-free energy that can be used to pump water or sell electricity into the grid; it can generate revenue for the irrigation district to be able to help pay for aging infrastructure costs and facilitate modernization; and it can create local jobs and generate revenue to the Federal Government. It's as simple as this poster demonstrates, as easy as putting a portable generator into moving canal water. Many irrigation districts and electrical utilities seek to develop hydropower on Bureau of Reclamation pipes, ditches and canals; but regulatory uncertainty and the threat of unnecessary bureaucratic requirements stand in the way. This legislation seeks to remove duplicative environmental analysis where doing so will considerably reduce costs for hydropower developers, while retaining the analysis necessary to protect valuable natural resources. While the Bureau of Reclamation has recently begun to inventory facilities suitable for small conduit hydropower generation and develop directives and standards to help promote that end, for far too long, duplicative review for small hydropower projects on existing, manmade facilities rendered these projects financially unfeasible, and significant uncertainty still remains. The generating units covered by H.R. 678 would be installed on entirely manmade waterways which have already received a full environmental review when they were built or rehabilitated. Any transmission associated with these projects that would result from the passage of this bill must still undergo full environmental review where they impact the environment. To require a lengthy review for dropping a small generator into a pipe simply defies logic, and we cannot pursue an all-of-the-above energy strategy if we continue business as usual. In addition to creating regulatory certainty and removing duplicative processes, this legislation authorizes power development at the agency's conduits to clear up multi-Federal agency confusion and further reduces the regulatory costs associated with hydropower development. This provision of the bill will provide the necessary statutory authority to be able to reduce litigation that the agency is sure to seek under the current framework which relies on broad authorities that do not specifically authorize hydropower development. This legislation ensures the continued use of the Bureau facilities, primarily for water supply and irrigation, and protects the interests of those maintaining and operating these facilities by offering them the first right of refusal to take advantage of small conduit energy development projects. Non-Federal operators know the details of the facilities best and are locally invested. As a result, it's only logical to offer them the first opportunity to develop this energy on facilities that they maintain. Additionally, those irrigation districts with preexisting arrangements with the Bureau or the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission for water delivery and hydropower development will not be disturbed by this bill. I'm proud to have the support of the Family Farm Alliance, the National Water Resources Association, the American Public Power Association, and the National Hydropower Association, among others. I look forward to working with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to be able to make this public law and to start putting rural America back to work and developing clean, renewable energy.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. I thank Chairman Bishop for yielding. When we're talking about job creation in this country, I think it's worthy to note I just traveled through the Third Congressional District of Colorado visiting with people from Pueblo to Alamosa, Durango, Cortez, Montrose, Craig, Hayden, and Steamboat. One of the greatest challenges that they face is regulations coming out of Washington when it comes to job creation. The fact of the matter is we're spending $1.75 trillion per year for businesses to be able to comply with government mandates. Is it a sensible approach to be able to look at regulations that simply don't work and are inhibiting job creation and our ability to be able to achieve the most carbon-free, environmentally friendly legislation that we can have? That's hydropower. That is a sensible approach. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to encourage my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to vote in favor of House Resolution 140 and for an open discussion on how we're going to be able to work together to be able to promote clean, renewable hydropower development in rural America and create much-needed jobs in the process. At a time when our country needs to be able to focus on domestic energy production and job creation, hydropower can play a critical role in providing clean renewable energy while expanding job opportunities in some of our hardest hit rural communities. Hydropower is the cheapest and cleanest source of electricity available through modern technology. It's the highest source of non- carbon-emitting energy in the world and accounts for approximately 75 percent of the United States' total renewable electricity generation, making it the leading renewable energy resource of power. Canal-based hydropower can produce up to 1,400 megawatts of power in Colorado alone. Let's put this in perspective. This is the equivalent of the power produced by the originally designed output of the Glen Canyon Dam, just out of Colorado, not including the rest of the western United States. Increased conduit hydropower serves a number of purposes: it produces renewable and emissions-free energy that can be used to pump water or sell electricity to the grid; it can offset diesel-generated pumps; it can generate revenue for the hydropower developer to help pay for aging infrastructure costs and water/power facility modernization; and it can create local jobs and generate revenue for the Federal Government. As it stands, Federal regulations hinder this development on Federal projects and subject job creators to unnecessary requirements which can render small hydropower projects economically unfeasible. For this reason, I introduced H.R. 678, the Bureau of Reclamation Small Conduit Hydropower Development and Rural Jobs Act. This legislation authorizes power development at the agency's conduits to clear up multi-agency confusion and duplicative processes and reduces the regulatory costs associated with hydropower development. H.R. 678, as passed by the Natural Resources Committee with bipartisan support, would eliminate the requirement of duplicative and unnecessary environmental analyses for projects on manmade facilities which already underwent a full environmental review at the time of their construction or when undergoing rehabilitation. The bill covers small hydropower generators installed on manmade pipes, ditches, and canals; and the renewable energy development promoted by the bill in no way impacts the natural environment. By streamlining this process, we can finally make these small conduit hydropower projects financially feasible and unleash private investment in clean energy that will reduce costs for ratepayers and increase tax revenue for the Treasury while putting people back to work. I understand that some of my friends on the other side have reservations about this provision; and as I have made clear in the past, I'm open to working with my colleagues to be able to address their concerns with the NEPA provision. However, failure to address the existing regulatory uncertainty would negate one of the primary purposes of the bill and would ensure that the renewable energy development envisioned by the bill remains in limbo. I'm optimistic that discussing this issue openly will allay any concerns Members may have and allow us to be able to arrive at a solution which ensures the implementation of a statutory framework that streamlines the project approval process and reduces costs. I'm proud to have the support of the Family Farm Alliance, the National Water Resources Association, and the American Public Power Association, among others. I think the broad support this bill has seen among those most directly impacted indicates how close we are to making this renewable energy development a reality. I look forward to an open discussion on the merits of the bill, which I believe will speak for themselves.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize Don MacDonald of Colorado. Don MacDonald recently retired as Manager of Energy Service from Molson Coors after a 42 year long career. After serving in Vietnam, Mr. MacDonald and his wife settled in Colorado in 1970, where he began his career with Coors in the Purchasing Department. Mr. MacDonald acquired his undergraduate degree from Cornell College in Eastern Iowa, where he studied geology. This degree gave him the expertise to support Coors' vertical integration efforts in energy exploration and production. Mr. MacDonald worked tirelessly for several decades on the energy side of Coors business and played a major role in the company's involvement with oil and gas operations, coal exploration and production and the promotion of energy efficiency. Most recently, Mr. MacDonald spearheaded the reclamation of one of Coors' coal properties. As he moves into retirement, Mr. MacDonald keeps busy with his involvement in the Evergreen Rodeo and his passion for the theater arts. Although, Mr. MacDonald's professional accomplishments alone are memorable, it is his personality and friendship that will be missed most by his colleagues. Mr. Speaker, it is an honor to recognize Mr. MacDonald for all the incredible work he did for Molson Coors of Colorado.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, a ``balanced approach'' should not be hardworking Americans give and government takes. This year, the Federal Government will collect a record $2.7 trillion. Federal spending will far surpass this. Continuing to increase revenue while Federal spending grows, with no end in sight, is not a balanced approach. The balanced approach that we should pursue is a budget that balances and a budget that protects the present and builds for the future. We're presenting a budget that moves to that end and actually balances by slowing the rate of spending increases. This is a concept that the Washington elite will label as extreme. Yet this is a concept that American families call common sense, and something they do every week. American families have watched government grow and their budget shrink. That's not right. Why is a budget that balances important for the American people? The answer is found in examples that we see now going on in Western Europe. Governments that overspend and, as a result, underperform hurt the people that they're designed to help the most. Our budget will prevent this type of financial crisis from happening in our country. It will keep the promises to our families and seniors and protect the future of the American Dream.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. Mr. Speaker, the record is clear: the House of Representatives has acted responsibly. We've passed two pieces of legislation to be able to deal with sequestration and to be able to deal with it in a responsible way. The question yet to be answered is: Will the Senate, will the administration rise with us to be able to meet that challenge? Right now, an American family making $50,000 a year is taking about $1,000 less home because of the expiration of the payroll tax deduction. That's a mortgage payment, books for school, a couple of months' worth of groceries. In fact, they're now under the highest tax burden since the year 2008. Families are making sacrifices while government continues to increase spending. Many Federal agencies and programs will actually receive more in their budgets this year, and the government will collect more tax revenue than ever before--$2.7 trillion. One of the major problems with the President's sequester is not that it initiates needed reductions in Federal spending but that its unwieldy nature casts a broad shadow of uncertainty with regards to how those cuts will be implemented. We need responsibility. This House has acted. We call on the Senate and the administration to join us.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. As we begin the 113th Congress, it is time that this Congress does what hardworking families and small businesses across our country do every day: balance our budget and actually work within a budget. We have families right now that are struggling. The impacts of this Congress and its inability to be able to have its fiscal house in order cannot be overstated when it comes to hurting those families and small businesses. We're going to be putting forward legislation to make sure that that debt ceiling will be increased for a temporary period of time, but with the requirement that this House and our counterparts in the United States Senate actually pass a budget for the American people. If we can't do that, then we as Members of Congress don't deserve to be paid. No budget, no pay. This is common sense--to stand up for the American people to make sure that we are getting this fiscal house in order and looking out for our children and for our grandchildren.

Mr. TIPTON

Mr. TIPTON. ``No person except a natural born citizen, or a citizen of the United States, at the time of the adoption of this Constitution, shall be eligible to the office of President; neither shall any person be eligible to that office who shall not have attained to the age of thirty-five years and been fourteen years a resident within the United States. ``The President shall, at stated times, receive for his services, a compensation, which shall neither be increased nor diminished during the period for which he shall have been elected, and he shall not receive within that period any other emolument from the United States, or any of them.''