Steve Womack

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, as I speak, the city of Springdale, Arkansas, is remembering the life of 17-year-old Kyler Austyn Williams, a promising young student athlete from Springdale High School who died this past Saturday in a vehicle accident. He was an accomplished athlete, the star on his football team. The night before he died, Kyler caught 10 passes for 268 yards and three touchdowns against a conference opponent. But, Mr. Speaker, he was also a terrific young man, outstanding student, spiritual leader, role model. Our hearts are broken over his loss, and the entire Third District of Arkansas mourns with his parents, Tysha and Rodney Williams; his stepmother, Kimmy; his sisters, Makenzy, Kayden, and Lily; and his brothers, Bralen, Hudsyn, and Parker. Kyler's death leaves us all with an empty feeling and struggling to cope with such a tragic outcome. And when Springdale High lines up against its crosstown rival, Springdale Har-Ber, on Friday night, number 3 in red won't be on the field, but he will be on the hearts and minds of those who knew and loved him. May God bless those he leaves behind.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize your new Miss America, our very own Miss Arkansas, Savvy Shields. On Sunday night, Savvy became the third Miss Arkansas--and the second from the Third District of Arkansas--to win this prestigious title, receiving a preliminary talent award as well. Savvy will spend her year of service traveling across the Nation as an advocate for not only her charitable platform of ``Eat Better, Live Better,'' but also the Children's Miracle Network. In this way, Savvy will continue her work as an advocate for healthy eating as a way to dramatically change health outcomes in our communities. I speak on behalf of the Third District and the State of Arkansas in congratulating Savvy on representing her hometown of Fayetteville, the University of Arkansas, and the entire ``Natural State'' so well on the national stage. I would like to also congratulate Savvy's parents, Todd and Karen Shields, on the beginning of what will truly be a remarkable year. Savvy will represent all of us with the grace, poise, and confidence that earned her this crown. Congratulations, Savvy, Miss America 2017.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to remember the life of Pat Walker of Springdale, Arkansas, who passed away on September 3 at the age of 97. Pat was a northwest Arkansas icon whose spirit of philanthropy touched so many lives. She not only provided critical resources for charities involved in medicine, the arts, education, and her beloved Razorbacks, but she also inspired those around her to get involved and be of service to their fellow man. She was steadfastly dedicated to our community, and the honors bestowed upon Pat are evidence of this. A member of the Arkansas Women's Hall of Fame, Pat was named one of the Most Distinguished Women in Arkansas. She was a lifetime member of the Winthrop P. Rockefeller Cancer Institute, the 2002 American Heart Association Tiffany award recipient, inducted into the Towers of Old Main, and was a member of the University of Arkansas Chancellor's Society and given the University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences Distinguished Service Award. Northwest Arkansas will long remember the contributions made by Pat Walker, and we join her 2 children, 7 grandchildren, and 15 great- grandchildren in celebrating her wonderful life.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, it is with a heavy heart that I rise today to honor the memory of Corporal William ``Bill'' Cooper, a dedicated law enforcement officer in Arkansas. Bill, a veteran of the U.S. Marine Corps, served the Sebastian County Sheriff's Office since 2001, in addition to 5 years with the Fort Smith Police Department. On August 10, Mr. Speaker, while responding to a domestic disturbance near Greenwood, Arkansas, Corporal Cooper was shot and killed in the line of duty. His is a great loss to Arkansas law enforcement and a reminder of the bravery of our men and women in blue who put their lives on the line every day to keep our citizens safe. Sebastian County and the entire Third District of Arkansas mourns the loss of Corporal Cooper. My prayers are with his wife, Ruth, his son, Scott, his sister, Ginger Cox, his three grandchildren, and Corporal Cooper's fellow law enforcement officers. May God bless those he leaves behind as they search for peace and understanding through this terrible tragedy.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the life and service of Don Soderquist of Rogers, Arkansas, my neighbor and my friend and one of northwest Arkansas' most influential leaders, who died July 21 at the age of 82. Mr. Soderquist was the former chief operating officer and vice chairman of Wal-Mart Stores, Incorporated, and he teamed with Walmart founder, Sam Walton, to establish one of the world's leading companies. Aside from his many achievements in retailing, Mr. Soderquist is also remembered for his philanthropic endeavors and the standards of ethical leadership that guided his life as a businessman and became his passion after retirement. This legacy will live on at the Soderquist Leadership Center at John Brown University in Siloam Springs, Arkansas, which Don helped establish in 1998. It wasn't long ago, Mr. Speaker, that I had the privilege of inviting Mr. Soderquist to this Chamber to hear his longtime friend Benjamin Netanyahu address a joint session of Congress. I will always remember the warm embrace the Prime Minister gave Don when they met just off the House floor. I join Don's wife, Jo, and his children--Mark, Wendy, Sandie, and Jeff--the 11 grandchildren, and 1 great-grandchild in celebrating his wonderful life.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Chairman, I thank the gentleman for the time and also his great work as chairman of the subcommittee. As a proud member of the subcommittee, we are going to miss Mr. Crenshaw. It has been a delight to work with him as well as the ranking member, Mr. Serrano, for his tireless effort on behalf of these issues. Mr. Chairman, for 90 years--for 90 years--Federal law has protected the enforceability of arbitration agreements because arbitration provides an alternative method of resolving disputes that is quicker and cheaper than the expensive, overburdened court system. Hundreds of millions of contracts are based on this principle: credit card contracts, checking accounts, Internet agreements, cell phones, and cable TV. There are dozens of contracts that have this provision. Don't let my colleagues across the aisle fool you on this subject. Arbitration empowers individuals. Injured parties can obtain fair resolution of disputes without the need of an attorney. But many oppose this approach, particularly plaintiffs' attorneys, because arbitration proceedings can't be used to bring lawyer-driven class actions that provide millions in legal fees but little or no benefit to the consumer. Dodd-Frank authorized the CFPB to conduct a study of arbitration and at the same time granted CFPB authority to promulgate a regulation for related products or services within the bureau's jurisdiction. However, this authority was caveated, Mr. Chairman, with the requirement that any rule be in the public interest and for protection of consumers while remaining consistent with the results of the bureau's arbitration study. Mr. Chairman, Congress wanted any regulation to be based on a fair, complete study of real-world implications of regulating or banning arbitration. Yet, CFPB's study--which led to its May, 2016, proposed regulation effectively eliminating arbitration--fell far short of the requirements set by Congress.

Mr. WOMACK. So, Mr. Chairman, that is why the Appropriations Committee approved language in our bill to address this issue, and we did so unanimously. Now Congress has to step in again to restore basic fairness to the effort to regulate arbitration. Section 506 of this bill simply ensures that no rule issued by the bureau shall be effective until the bureau evaluates the costs and benefits to consumers associated with conditioning or limiting the use of arbitration and specifically, Mr. Chairman, finds that the demonstrable benefits of the rule outweigh the costs to consumers. Any attempt to strike it would be misguided. So, Mr. Chairman, I urge a ``no'' vote on the amendment by the gentleman from Minnesota.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Chairman, I rise in support of the fiscal year 2017 Defense Appropriations bill. In a world that is more dangerous and more complex than ever before, it is critically important that we ensure our military remains the best trained, the best equipped, and the best supported on the planet. This bill takes the next step toward fulfilling these necessary goals. After years of budget cuts and sequestration, we are at a point now where we can no longer ask our military to keep meeting the needs of our Nation without providing the right amount of resources. Mr. Chairman, if we are unable to provide our troops with proper funding, I fear that very soon we will find ourselves at risk of sending our men and women in uniform into conflict without the training, equipment, or support that they need. Our brave solders, sailors, airmen, and marines deserve better. And this Defense bill does better by helping our military return to full spectrum readiness in order to properly meet the challenges our Nation is facing on all fronts and across the globe. I urge my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to do what is right by America by doing what is right for the men and women who sacrifice so much to ensure the freedoms that we enjoy today. Vote ``yes'' on the bill. Vote ``yes'' for a strong American military. Vote ``yes'' to send a message to all our enemies that the American military is as strong as ever and that the United States remains steadfast and capable of defending herself and her allies against those who wish to do us harm. I thank Chairman Frelinghuysen and Ranking Member Visclosky for their tireless work on behalf of our Congress and on behalf of the American public.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, on that I demand the yeas and nays.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor Donald ``Buddy'' Wray, a great Arkansan and American, a dear friend who passed away in January. A native of Des Arc, Buddy earned a bachelor's degree in animal husbandry from the University of Arkansas. He spent time in the Army and later the Army Guard before joining a small poultry company in 1961 called Tyson Feed and Hatchery, today known as Tyson Foods. For over 50 years, Buddy was instrumental in everything the company did. As president and COO, he helped build Tyson Foods into one of the world's leading food companies and a major contributor to our State's economy. In addition to his career, Buddy was also dedicated to the northwest Arkansas community, especially Springdale. He was a member of the Kiwanis Club and served on countless boards--Harding University, the University of Arkansas, and the College of the Ozarks, to name a few. He was also a man of faith, dedicated to the Robinson Avenue Church of Christ in Springdale. Buddy will be missed by his many family members, countless friends, the community, and the Tyson Foods family, but we find comfort in remembering Buddy's famous words: ``Look behind with no regrets . . . look forward with no fear.'' Knowing his determination to live that message resulted in a life that made a difference. Rest in peace, Buddy Wray.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. I thank the distinguished gentleman from Kentucky for his leadership on the issue. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of S.J. Res. 24 and to echo the sentiments of my colleagues. There is no question that we are all searching for a brighter future for generations to come. We disagree, however, on how to get there and, in this case, on the effects that our decisions could have on the environment and on the American family in the process. Frankly, the EPA's Clean Power Plan will result in little to no environmental benefit at the expense of thousands of jobs and countless dollars and hours spent on compliance, all for the sake of an unrelenting government agency's agenda and the desired environmental legacy of this administration. It is as simple as that. Not only will the Clean Power Plan fail to achieve the results intended, but the administration's very authority to implement it is questionable at best. The letter of the law itself denies the EPA this authority to regulate power plants under section 111(d), something specifically cited under section 112. Twenty-seven States' attorneys general, including our very own Leslie Rutledge in Arkansas, agree and have filed suit in response. The Constitution clearly states that legislative powers are vested in the Congress. The Clean Power Plan is a clear attempt to take policymaking out of the hands of Congress. That is unacceptable. President Obama's never-ending regulatory overreach has to be stopped. If the EPA will not halt, Congress must act to prevent this egregious power grab. This resolution will stop the EPA in its tracks and return the power to where it rightfully exists. Maybe then we can all get back to this Nation's historic, all-of-the-above energy policy. Mr. Speaker, if we want to leave our successors a better future, supporting the two resolutions that have been debated here on the floor today is a really good first step.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. I thank the chairman for his leadership on this issue. Mr. Speaker, over the last few days, our Nation has heard from its elected Representatives on the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, affectionately known as the Iran nuclear deal. I stand here today to add my name to the list of Members who recognize what a terrible deal this is and the grave danger a ``yes'' vote creates for humanity. It has been said by most that this will be one of the most important votes a Member will cast in his or her term in Congress. I agree. It has been said by many that it paves the way for a nuclear-armed Iran. I agree. It has been said by many that lifting of sanctions will further destabilize an already troubled region. I agree. And it is indisputable, Mr. Speaker, as most have admitted, that Iran is the largest state sponsor of terror. I could go on and on: self- inspections, ballistic missiles, retention of centrifuges, side deals. Mr. Speaker, this is not just a bad deal. It is unconscionable that we would consider anything that leaves a path for Iran to possess a weapon, as this agreement does. A ``yes'' vote, Mr. Speaker, will be on the wrong side of history. I urge my colleagues to stand with the American people, defeat the resolution, and stop this very bad deal.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today with a heavy heart to remember the life of Terry Stambaugh of Harrison, Arkansas. Terry died this week when his car was struck head on by a vehicle traveling at a high rate of speed, fleeing from police. It is heartbreaking to see the life of a community servant taken at the age of 61--or for any age, for that matter--under these circumstances. Terry Stambaugh was chairman of the board of the Harrison, Arkansas, regional chamber of commerce; president of the Harrison Rotary Club; board member of the 14th judicial district's court appointed special advocates program; past president of the Harrison District Board of Realtors; and had a long history working in the trucking industry. In addition, he was a deacon at the First Christian Church of Harrison. Mr. Speaker, Terry was a man of tremendous faith. While I know the entire Harrison community will forever mourn his loss, we take comfort in the fact that God is real, as Terry stated in his final Facebook posting, and that Terry is now at his side. I stand in this well today, Mr. Speaker, to honor Terry for his many years of service to his faith, his family, and his beloved city of Harrison and say a final thank you to this dedicated community leader. My prayers are with his wife, Carey; his children, Angela Keys, Sarah Stambaugh, and Hannah Lutz; and his stepchildren, Blake and Logan Cook, during this very difficult time for the family.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today, like many of my colleagues, in celebration of the 90th birthday of Pratt & Whitney. Since its humble beginnings in 1925 as an employer of 26, Pratt & Whitney has grown to employ more than 31,500 people worldwide, including some in my district, the Third District of Arkansas, at its PSD facility in Springdale. Today, Pratt & Whitney is at the forefront of shaping aviation. They are not only developing breakthrough technologies, like the geared turbofan; but they are also producing critical technologies, like the F-35 engine, for our warfighters. Mr. Speaker, aerospace is Arkansas' number one export. That industry employees over 10,000 Arkansans, and I can say, without hesitation, that the continued economic growth of our State depends on the work and innovation of companies like Pratt & Whitney. Thank you, Pratt & Whitney, for the vitally important work you do in the Third District and worldwide; and happy 90th birthday.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to honor the memory of Staff Sergeant David Wyatt, who was taken much too soon from his family and friends on July 16. David, a marine and loving father, was born November 7, 1979, in Morganton, North Carolina. David was a graduate of Russellville High School in Russellville, Arkansas, my alma mater. He was a veteran of both Iraq and Afghanistan. For his service, Staff Sergeant Wyatt earned numerous medals and commendations for exemplary service in the infantry. He was a dedicated marine. While performing his duties on July 16 as the battery operations chief, 3rd Battalion, 14th Marine Regiment, 4th Marine Division, Staff Sergeant Wyatt was gunned down during the tragic Chattanooga shooting that killed him, along with three other marines and a Navy sailor. It is devastating that this decorated marine was taken in the homeland that he served so valiantly overseas to protect. His death shook the Arkansas River Valley in yet another senseless act of violence that can never be explained, justified, or tolerated. The Russellville and Adkins communities and the entire Third District of Arkansas mourn the loss of my fellow Russellville Cyclone and his fellow servicemen. My prayers are with his wife, Lorri; his two children, Rebecca and Heath; and his parents, Lew Wyatt of St. Augustine, Florida, and Deborah Boen of Atkins, Arkansas. May God bless those he leaves behind, as they search for peace and understanding through this terrible tragedy.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I thank the manager of this legislation for the time. I would like to also thank Chairman Hensarling and the entire Financial Services Committee for, yet again, ensuring that this bill, the Holding Company Registration Threshold Equalization Act, is put in front of the full House and sent on to the Senate. I would also like to express my gratitude to my colleagues on both sides of the aisle, Representative Himes, Representative Wagner, and Representative Delaney, for their continued efforts to codify this necessary JOBS Act clarification. Mr. Speaker, this is the third time that I have come to the floor to speak on this truly bipartisan bill, and it is unfortunate that we are still without a successful resolution to the problem because we can all agree that small community banks and savings and loan holding companies were not the cause of the financial crisis. They shouldn't be treated as if they were. That is exactly why the House and Senate eliminated some of the unnecessary burdens placed on our small lenders by passing the JOBS Act in the 112th Congress. However, the JOBS Act, which raised the registration threshold and decreased deregistration threshold for bank holding companies, unfortunately didn't explicitly do so for savings and loan holding companies as well. Mr. Speaker, this was an oversight. Thanks to the oversight, savings and loan holding companies are still having to spend their resources to comply with regulations intended for larger banks, instead of sharing the same ability bank and bank holding companies have been granted to focus on serving the lending needs of their communities. A cosponsor of the JOBS Act, I can say with absolute certainty that excluding savings and loan holding companies was not our intent. H.R. 1334 would correct this oversight and would simply ensure that savings and loan holding companies are treated in the same manner as bank and bank holding companies, something my colleagues confidently affirmed when this bill passed in the 113th Congress 417-4. Mr. Speaker, they say the third time is the charm. I am hopeful that, with the Senate's newfound leadership, we will finally get this bill where it needs to be, on the President's desk. I urge my colleagues to help me get it there by supporting the passage of H.R. 1334.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, pursuant to clause 1, rule I, I demand a vote on agreeing to the Speaker's approval of the Journal.

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I object to the vote on the ground that a quorum is not present and make the point of order that a quorum is not present.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, they say that great things come in small packages, and that could not be more true of the Reagan sisters of Rogers, Arkansas. I rise today in gratitude to them. Agnes Lytton, Mary Sue, and Betty Lynn Reagan were born and raised in northwest Arkansas and attended the University of Arkansas- Fayetteville. While Agnes Lytton left Arkansas to pursue a career in library science, Mary Sue and Betty Lynn, who stood about 5 feet tall, were giants in the classroom, spending a combined 94 years teaching history and government to students in the Rogers School District. Throughout their distinguished careers, both were decorated with countless awards and accolades, and in 1989 the city of Rogers named its newest school Reagan Elementary as a token of our appreciation for their dedication to our students and their faithful support of the community. As their former mayor, I can attest to both. Although these most respected members of our community have passed on, they won't soon be forgotten, and now their legacies will live on at the U of A, as it was announced on Monday that the sisters, in a final tribute to northwest Arkansas education, designated a $1.2 million estate gift to support the libraries of their alma mater. I can say without hesitation that the Reagan sisters made northwest Arkansas a better place, and for that, we are eternally grateful.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Madam Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to a dedicated public servant, a respected businessman, a decorated combat veteran, and a trusted mentor, former Third District of Arkansas Representative John Paul Hammerschmidt, who passed away on April 1 at the age of 92. John Paul believed that we are all put on Earth to serve others. This principle guided him even from an early age. After graduating from Harrison High School at 15 and spending a year at the Citadel, he forwent West Point and instead joined the Army Air Corps. As a second lieutenant during World War II, he piloted an incredible 217 combat missions and earned multiple medals and decorations. After the war, he returned to his home in Harrison to run the family lumber business, and he continued his service as a member of the U.S. Air Force Reserve until 1960. It was during this time that he also became engaged with local politics, and in 1966 he became the first Republican in 93 years to have been elected to serve Arkansas in the U.S. House of Representatives. During his 26-year tenure in Congress, John Paul never spent a single day in the majority, but he didn't let that stand in the way of serving his constituents to the best of his ability. He worked with all colleagues--Democrat and Republican alike--to our State's benefit and is responsible for bringing the critical transportation infrastructure to northwest Arkansas that enabled its explosive growth. However, he will truly be remembered for defining the gold standard of constituent service. Simply put, no one did it better than John Paul. Every day he prayed to our Lord for the strength to overcome pride and self-concern in order to always be mindful of the needs of others. Looking back on his life, I would say he was blessed with just that, and for it our State and our Nation will be forever grateful to him for his service. Madam Speaker, on Saturday, John Paul Hammerschmidt will be laid to rest. As we prepare to say our final good-byes, I would ask for a moment of silence to honor one of the finest examples of statesmen this Chamber has ever seen. Rest in peace, John Paul.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to acknowledge the outstanding work of Dr. Merlin Augustine and his wife, Beverly, of Fayetteville, Arkansas, and the event his foundation has sponsored for 22 years--the annual Easter Feed, held the Saturday before Easter. This year, a record 6,741 people enjoyed a meal fit for kings, served by men and women of all walks, including a number of local, State, and Federal officials and scores of volunteers. Years ago, Mr. Speaker, Dr. Augustine's parents left their compassionate son an inheritance of $10,000 with which he established a foundation purposed in helping the less fortunate. The Easter Feed is its signature event. It is the kind of event that warms the heart, reminding all of us of our duty to care for those around us. I want the Nation to know how much I appreciate this beautiful couple for their kindness and their decency and their dedication to our community. My wife, Terri, and I always look forward to helping at the event. Few things in life give us more pleasure than the Easter Feed. Thanks, Merlin and Beverly. Can't wait till next year.

Mr. WOMACK

Mr. WOMACK. I thank the gentleman, first of all, for his great leadership on this subject. The gentleman from the Hoosier State and I came in together. Back in 2010, we were elected to this Congress, and I can't speak necessarily for the gentleman, I can only speak for myself, but I would almost bet that my friend from Indiana would agree that we came up here to tackle the Nation's biggest problems. Mr. Speaker, the Framers of our country were visionaries. They got it right on the formation of the country and the established government that guides our every decision. They not only had the foresight to establish constitutional principles and processes that addressed the challenges of the day, but that sustain and guide our Nation now 2\1/4\ centuries later. What you have just heard in the last few minutes, and I have been witness to the presentation made by my friend from South Carolina, with commentary from the gentleman from Indiana, I am going to present many of the same arguments in the time that I have before you today because I think they are worth repeating, and my chart may show it a little bit differently. Mr. Speaker, I came to the Congress and was immediately placed on the Appropriations Committee. As a member of that committee, one of my jobs is to look after the discretionary piece of the Federal budget. As has already been mentioned, the discretionary piece of the Federal budget is getting squeezed. There was a time in the not too distant past that discretionary spending was the largest share of spending and, as was mentioned by my friend from South Carolina, things that you recognize your Federal Government for. He articulated a number of those. When you look at this particular chart, this end of the chart would represent 1962. The other end of the chart is just about 3 years from now, in 2018, you can see--in case you have trouble seeing, let me just go through the color coding here. The purple at the top is the amount of money that we have to pay, year in and year out, to service our debt. Those of you at home, Mr. Speaker, that have a credit card bill that comes in every month, there will be a category there or a block there that says minimum payment due. The minimum payment is usually the reflection of interest due on that account and not necessarily a reduction in the principle amount owed. That is exactly what this purple is. That is the minimum payment due, year and in and year out, that we have to make in order to satisfy the creditors, the people that have given money to this country, loaned money to this country for governmental purposes. As you can see, Mr. Speaker, this chart shows that that area in purple has grown through the years. It tightened up a little bit back a few years ago. But now, if you look at that last piece of it, from right here, you will notice that it is taking a dip. And if we extended that chart out for many more years, it gets progressively worse. The next color is red, and that is the reflection of mandatory spending, talked about by the gentleman before me, that constitutes how much money we have to spend year in and year out to pay for the programs that people all across this country are entitled to. The biggest driver of the long-term consequences of mandatory spending would be Medicare. There are many charts that will show you the glide path Medicare is on. Mr. Speaker, something happened last night at midnight that affects the ongoing cost of that piece of mandatory spending. That is, 11,000 people celebrated a birthday as we rolled into the new day; 11,000 people aged into that program. Now, Mr. Speaker, tonight at midnight, something else is going to happen that is going to influence the growth of that area in red; and that is, another 11,000 people, or thereabouts, are going to age into this program that they automatically qualify for when they turn 65. Thankfully, more and more people are living well beyond 65, and I am glad for that. If you look at that red, coupled with the purple, you can see that since 1962, it has commanded a much larger share of Federal spending, and it is putting a tremendous squeeze on the programs that people like me, as an appropriator, have to work with to fund the other essential forms of government. In fact, I have a lot of people say to me when I go home: You know, Mr. Womack, you are an appropriator. You are in charge of all this spending. You ought to be able, with your vote and with your leadership on that committee, you ought to be able to see that the books of the Federal Government are balanced. But, Mr. Speaker, if you look at the last two colors--the green, which is nondefense spending, and the blue, which represents defense discretionary spending--these two colors have gotten smaller and smaller and smaller, so small now that they represent about a third of our spending. And you do the math.

Mr. WOMACK. I would be happy to yield to the gentleman from South Carolina.

Mr. WOMACK. Around $250 billion. It is a lot of money. We could build a lot of roads and bridges, educate a lot of people, pay for a lot of things with that $250 billion, give or take. The President's budget, if you rolled it out for 10 years, in the 10- year window before this young man can vote and before this young man turns 12, the net interest on the debt will rise to $785 billion a year. That is not a sustainable path, and that is why I was pleased to accept the appointment to the Budget Committee as one of the three appropriators assigned to this committee. That is why I enjoy the work that I do. That is why I appreciate so much my friend from Indiana, my friend from Georgia, my friend from South Carolina, and the others that will parade down here and talk about these issues. They are the most serious things that affect domestic America today. And out of deference to these two young men and to their parents-- Will and Amanda, and Kayle and Philip--it is my hope and my prayer that we will find the courage to support the solutions, as large as they may be, to save America's next greatest generation.

Mr. WOMACK. Well, I am glad the gentleman did interrupt. And to carry our colloquy just a little bit further, the gentleman from South Carolina is a former Governor of South Carolina, so he has had some experience dealing with balanced budgets and having to live within your means, as a former chief executive of a State, one of the 50 States in our country. So you have a great appreciation for how important it is to be able to craft budgets that live within your means and address the major drivers of what could be deficit spending at the State level.