Mark Walker

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, today is not just about tax reform. Today is also about what we fundamentally believe as a nation. Today, we say working class families, not the government, are best equipped to make financial decisions. Did we hear anything from our Democratic friends for nearly 8 years about lowering taxes on middle and lower income families? We did not. Now, for the first time since 1986, we are going to overhaul our broken Tax Code. Here is what it means for families in North Carolina. Middle-income families will see more than a $2,300 increase in their take-home pay. The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act means more than 30,000 new jobs in North Carolina. I am encouraged that our Senate colleagues have also decided to include the ObamaCare individual mandate repeal and would urge our House Conference to consider it, as well. Last, I would like to thank Chairman Brady. There is no greater servant in the United States House. Thanks to his work and that of his team, today we keep our promise. It is time to move forward.

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent--Leonard Hill from Guilford County. I am honored to acknowledge constituents who selflessly answered the call to serve and defend our freedom. A United States Army Air Corps veteran of World War II and member of the Greatest Generation, Mr. Hill served his country with honor. Self-sacrifice, personal responsibility, and humility are traits this generation embodied. The tremendous strides our country has made since World War II are a direct result of these great Americans. North Carolina is truly fortunate to have Mr. Hill, an outstanding representative of our community and country. I join with his family, friends, and the Sixth District in thanking Leonard Hill for his dedicated service to the United States of America.

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent--Anthony W. Padula from Guilford County. I am honored to acknowledge constituents who selflessly answered the call to serve and defend our freedom. A United States Navy veteran of World War II and member of the Greatest Generation, Mr. Padula served his country with honor. Self-sacrifice, personal responsibility, and humility are traits this generation embodied. The tremendous strides our country has made since World War II are a direct result of these great Americans. North. Carolina is truly fortunate to have Mr. Padula, an outstanding representative of our community and country. I join with his family, friends, and the Sixth District in thanking Anthony W. Padula for his dedicated service to the United States of America.

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent, Arnold Andrews from Guilford County. I am honored to acknowledge constituents who selflessly answered the call to serve and defend our freedom. A United States Army veteran of World War II and member of the Greatest Generation, Mr. Andrews served his country with honor. Self-sacrifice, personal responsibility, and humility are traits this generation embodied. The tremendous strides our country has made since World War II are a direct result of these great Americans. North Carolina is truly fortunate to have Mr. Andrews, an outstanding representative of our community and country. I join with his family, friends, and the Sixth District in thanking Arnold Andrews for his dedicated service to the United States of America.

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent, William Camp from Guilford County. I am honored to acknowledge constituents who selflessly answered the call to serve and defend our freedom. A United States Army veteran of World War II and member of the Greatest Generation, Mr. Camp served his country with honor. Self-sacrifice, personal responsibility, and humility are traits this generation embodied. The tremendous strides our country has made since World War II are a direct result of these great Americans. North Carolina is truly fortunate to have Mr. Camp, an outstanding representative of our community and country. I join with his family, friends, and the Sixth District in thanking William Camp for his dedicated service to the United States of America.

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent, Russell Coble from Guilford County. I am honored to acknowledge constituents who selflessly answered the call to serve and defend our freedom. A United States Army veteran of World War II and member of the Greatest Generation, Mr. Coble served his country with honor. Self-sacrifice, personal responsibility, and humility are traits this generation embodied. The tremendous strides our country has made since World War II are a direct result of these great Americans. North Carolina is truly fortunate to have Mr. Coble, an outstanding representative of our community and country. I join with his family, friends, and the Sixth District in thanking Russell Coble for his dedicated service to the United States of America.

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent, Jerry Duncan from Guilford County. I am honored to acknowledge constituents who selflessly answered the call to serve and defend our freedom. A United States Army veteran of World War II and member of the Greatest Generation, Mr. Duncan served his country with honor. Self-sacrifice, personal responsibility, and humility are traits this generation embodied. The tremendous strides our country has made since World War II are a direct result of these great Americans. North Carolina is truly fortunate to have Mr. Duncan, an outstanding representative of our community and country. I join with his family, friends, and the Sixth District in thanking Jerry Duncan for his dedicated service to the United States of America.

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent, Reva Ingram Fortune from Guilford County. I am honored to acknowledge constituents who selflessly answered the call to serve and defend our freedom. A United States Air Force veteran of World War II and member of the Greatest Generation, Mrs. Fortune served her country with honor. Self-sacrifice, personal responsibility, and humility are traits this generation embodied. The tremendous strides our country has made since World War II are a direct result of these great Americans. North Carolina is truly fortunate to have Mrs. Fortune, an outstanding representative of our community and country. I join with her family, friends, and the Sixth District in thanking Reva Ingram Fortune for her dedicated service to the United States of America.

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent, James Jackson Gailey from Guilford County. I am honored to acknowledge constituents who selflessly answered the call to serve and defend our freedom. A United States Navy veteran of World War II and member of the Greatest Generation, Mr. Gailey served his country with honor. Self-sacrifice, personal responsibility, and humility are traits this generation embodied. The tremendous strides our country has made since World War II are a direct result of these great Americans. North Carolina is truly fortunate to have Mr. Gailey, an outstanding representative of our community and country. I join with his family, friends, and the Sixth District in thanking James Jackson Gailey for his dedicated service to the United States of America.

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent, Walter Simmons from Guilford County. I am honored to acknowledge constituents who selflessly answered the call to serve and defend our freedom. A United States Army veteran of World War II and member of the Greatest Generation, Mr. Simmons served his country with honor. Self-sacrifice, personal responsibility, and humility are traits this generation embodied. The tremendous strides our country has made since World War II are a direct result of these great Americans. North Carolina is truly fortunate to have Mr. Simmons, an outstanding representative of our community and country. I join with his family, friends, and the Sixth District in thanking Walter Simmons for his dedicated service to the United States of America.

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I am torn as I rise today. First, there is no question I will vote in favor of the budget and encourage my colleagues to do so because there is no doubt this is the best way forward to achieve tax reform and unlock the promise of bigger paychecks, more jobs, and the return of investing in America. However, I must also include that the Senate did not do its work. After months of hard work by Chairwoman Black and the Budget Committee, the House was able to get it done. Even acknowledging the difficult position of our country, they put us on a path to balance the budget in less than a decade. The House's budget included reconciliation instructions to speed up the enactment of $203 billion in mandatory savings, and the House budget included instructions that allowed us for the first time to stay on the path to repeal ObamaCare, to help those who continue to suffer with rising premiums in the individual market. I would guess that nearly every Republican in the Chamber agrees that the House's budget is superior. So why are we voting on the Senate's? Because our Senate colleagues seem allergic sometimes to making tough choices. But why will the Senate's budget pass? Because the American people need tax relief. Families and small businesses wrestle with an outdated and complicated Tax Code every year. It is true, we do have a once-in-a-generation opportunity. The specter of the IRS and devastating corporate rate mean that capital and resources are held outside of the United States and not invested here. Making our Tax Code fairer and simpler will bring this capital back to the market and jump-start investment and growth like we have rarely seen in the United States. Despite my ongoing and deep frustration sometimes with the Senate, I encourage my colleagues to pass this budget and bring the promise of more jobs and bigger paychecks closer to reality. I am pleased by the Speaker's commitment that the House will vote on important fiscal legislation in the form of balanced budget amendments, the Default Prevention Act, or some other deficit-reducing legislation. Mr. Speaker, the bottom line? It is vital that the House fulfill its promise to the American people.

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding leader and defender of Historically Black Colleges and Universities and their students. Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. has served as the President and CEO of the Thurgood Marshall College Fund since 2010, and today, we honor his service to the nearly 300,000 students the organization represents. Named for the first African American justice of the United States Supreme Court, the Thurgood Marshall College Fund honors Justice Marshall's legacy by assisting in the development of tomorrow's leader. Through Johnny C. Taylor, Jr.'s leadership, this organization has advanced the education of students through scholarships, programs and research initiatives. Thurgood Marshall College Fund member schools confer more degrees than any other Historically Black Colleges and Universities organization and provides access to an extraordinary pipeline of talented individuals as they enter the workforce. Johnny C. Taylor, Jr. has been an instrumental part of Thurgood Marshall College Fund's mission: ``Changing the World . . . One Leader at a Time.'' His impact can never be fully measured, but we appreciate his dedication and service to many of our nation's students.

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to recognize an outstanding constituent--Mr. Bernard Fuller. I am honored to congratulate Mr. Bernard Fuller, a teacher at Graham Middle School in Alamance County, North Carolina. Mr. Bernard Fuller is a 2016-2017 recipient of the Outstanding Special Education Teacher of the Year Award by the National Association of Special Education Teachers. This award was presented to 16 teachers across the nation and Mr. Fuller is the only teacher to earn the honor from North Carolina. Mr. Fuller has demonstrated a passionate commitment by developing special skills and going the extra mile for his remarkable students. He is an exceptional example for his colleagues in Graham and teachers everywhere. I join with his friends, family, and the Sixth District in congratulating Bernard Fuller on this excellent accomplishment.

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to announce the introduction of the Universal Charitable Giving Act. Many Americans believe that people, not the government, offer the best solutions to solve the ailments that face our society. Strong families, strong churches, and strong communities are the foundations of our Nation. By supporting charities, we can make our communities and our country a better place for Americans from all walks of life. Giving to charity is crucial for economic prosperity, happiness, and the success of our people, but for too long only the most wealthy have been incentivized to give to the causes they believe in. The Universal Charitable Giving Act incentivizes charitable giving for low- and middle-income taxpayers. It would allow everyone to deduct charitable giving, regardless of itemizing status. With tax reform, our aim is to increase take-home pay for middle America. With my bill, our goal is to increase support for all charities. Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to support the great work of our faith-based and charitable organizations by supporting this bill.

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, we are here today because, almost 11 months ago, the American people voted to give Republicans control of unified government. They were tired of being crushed by rising healthcare costs due to ObamaCare. They wanted America's economy to prosper again. They wanted a secure border. During the months that followed, Congress worked with President Trump to sign over 50 bills into law. On top of that, the House passed over 270 laws that now sit in the Senate awaiting action. Despite this legislation, there is a unified voice that is loud and clear arriving daily from our base, saying, ``Get something done.'' The reason for that call is because Americans continue to be crushed by government policies, something that is very evident. These are the same policies that drove them to vote for us in the first place. Americans are scarred by the broken promises of the former administration. They could not keep their doctor, even though they were told by the former President they could. Their premiums did not go down $2,500, and their exchanges did not work. ObamaCare resulted in fewer options and increased costs for many Americans. Out-of-pocket costs continue to soar, with overage deductibles for bronze plans topping $6,000 in 2017. Some States, like Arizona, faced premium increases of 116 percent; Oklahoma, 69 percent. Tennessee faced a 63 percent increase. And one- third of counties have only one insurer offering coverage on the exchange. Some entire States like Wyoming, right below me, South Carolina, Oklahoma, and Alaska only have one insurer. Think about that. This trend is predicted to worsen, with half of American counties only having one insurer in 2018. As we have come to almost 8 years with the ACA, or ObamaCare, we run a risk of thinking that it is normal. Our healthcare system was not perfect before. We are not making that case. But ObamaCare made what was already bad even worse. We cannot think of these stats as mere numbers. Americans are really suffering under this law. Just because Senate Majority Leader McConnell gave up on repealing ObamaCare in the Senate does not mean Americans will give Congress and Republicans a pass. We cannot and we must not give up on this important promise. The burden of ObamaCare is only made worse by the lackluster growth of the economy in recent years. During the Obama administration years, the economy failed to grow even once at the historic goal of 3 percent a year, something we just saw in our last quarter. Americans are as industrious and innovative as ever. Americans' work ethic is not the problem. It is our antiquated tax system that has been bogged down over the years by regulators and lobbyists. Since our last major rewrite of the Tax Code 31 years ago, the same year that ``Top Gun'' was number one in the box office, 1986, our Tax Code has added over 35,000 pages. Think about that--35,000 pages. That is about three changes per day. Each page is another carve-out or a loophole for the well connected, leaving the rest of the economy behind. Our companies are at a disadvantage internationally, as our tax rate stands at 35 percent, the highest, as we know now, in the industrialized world. Families continue to be punished with a marriage penalty. Our Tax Code should be a competitive advantage for our companies competing with the world. It should encourage innovators to push the boundaries and find success. The call to get something done that we hear loud and clear from Americans is also coupled with a call to make sure that we are doing our very best to secure the border. Perhaps there is no more vocal call from the past year than to build that wall. In 2016, the United States saw a surge in illegal border crossings, with 46,000 illegals apprehended in that October alone. This is both a fiscal and a security issue. Border security is more than just the border, though. Visa overstays are responsible for up to 40 percent of illegal immigration. We need a solution, and we need an action to this problem if we are truly to secure the border. To add to these problems, more than 100 sanctuary jurisdictions have enacted policies which restrict cooperation with ICE, allowing potentially dangerous illegal immigrant criminals to remain in our country. I am confident that the American people will deliver their final grade on Republicans over the next 3 months simply based on the three issues, the three promises that I am speaking about today: number one, continuing to work and replace and repeal ObamaCare; number two, reforming the Tax Code; and, number three, securing the border. In short, repeal, reform, secure; repeal, reform, secure. We need to fulfill these promises in the next 3 months. The urgency and the time is now. As I said before, the status quo on these policies is literally crushing Americans, and this is why they elected Republicans. In fact, since 1913, when Republicans expanded, or when the House expanded the 387 Members to 435, this is the only time in history when back-to-back Congresses, the Americans have elected 240 or more Republicans, and it is time we did our job. We need to keep our promises to the American people. I am pleased to be joined by members of the Republican Study Committee today to talk about the importance of keeping these promises. That is why it is my privilege to introduce one of our newer members from Kansas, Representative Ron Estes. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Kansas (Mr. Estes).

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Estes. Perhaps no one knows more and has had more experience than the chairman of our Judiciary Committee, a former immigration attorney who has spent years working on resolving these issues. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to yield to the gentleman from Virginia (Mr. Goodlatte).

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I thank Chairman Goodlatte and appreciate those powerful words. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. DeSantis), a colleague and one of the sharpest, most intellectual Members of Congress.

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his comments. I always appreciate the contribution that the gentleman makes to the House and to the American people. I could not agree more. For those who may be listening or watching, you may have seen, in the last few months, a heightened energy, or an urgency when it comes to calling out our partners in the Senate to begin to move and to begin to act--not just on things like repealing the healthcare, ObamaCare, but also moving, getting ready to move, hopefully, on tax reform. I know there has been some agreement on the framework, but, as the details continue to be more and more clear, we hope our colleagues on the Senate are ready to move quickly and swiftly for the American people. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Norman), a brand-new Member who came in from a special election to replace OMB Director Mick Mulvaney when he took the position with President Trump's administration. He has gotten up to speed quickly and is a huge asset to the Republican Study Committee and to the House Republicans as a whole.

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I thank the gentleman for his comments. As you see, three promises, 3 months; October, November, December, three promises, 3 months: repeal, reform, and secure. That is the promise from the Republican Study Committee, making up 157 members, 17 of the 20 chairmen. Now it is in our ability to make sure this gets through the Senate and passed into law by the President. We can't force all that, but what we are committed to is doing our part and doing our job to get these pieces of legislation through regular order to the House for a vote to fulfill the promises that most of us ran on over the last several elections. It is also a wonderful privilege tonight to introduce our House veterinarian--the gentleman can define that as he would need if we need a House veterinarian--but the great Representative from central Florida who does fine work in the House, Dr. Ted Yoho. Mr. Speaker, I yield to the gentleman from Florida (Mr. Yoho).

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Yoho, and we appreciate the gentleman's work in the United States House. Mr. Speaker, one of the most accomplished men, sometimes a person whom we refer to as ``Governor'' around here when it comes to political minds, is the gentleman from South Carolina, Representative Mark Sanford. Week in and week out, he is a very diligent and great leader in this House. Mr. Speaker, it is my privilege to yield to the fine gentleman from South Carolina (Mr. Sanford).

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, I thank Representative Sanford; I appreciate the gentleman's good words, experience, and knowledge. Mr. Speaker, speaking of Congress as a whole, it is well past time to make sure that tax reform and tax relief gets across to the American people. A lot of times we talk about classes. The truth is it is probably better terminology to talk about income levels, lower, middle and higher income levels. That is one of the reasons that we are pushing forward the Charitable Giving Act, which is something that impacts both the lower and middle income levels. We believe that is something that needs to be connected to tax reform to make sure that those folks who come from a background of teachers and truck drivers as we just heard about, but also other areas of the middle class and maybe lower income levels, something that they have a way where they are able to make sure that every dollar and every sacrifice they give back to a charitable organization--whether it is a local church or whether it is to the United Way--to make sure that every dollar is counted. This is something that has been going on way too long. As we know, there are 75,000 pages right now of IRS Tax Code regulations. If the IRS wants to come after a private citizen, the private citizen doesn't have much of a resource ability to fight back whether it is in the legal or whether it is extended wealth. This is a machine that has been building, and the bureaucracy has been growing well past time. It is time to neuter the IRS. One of the ways we can do that is reducing it from seven tax brackets down to three. It was erroneously shared by somebody across the aisle recently that we are driving up the lowest bracket from 10 percent to 12 percent. The truth is this: we are condensing it right now to three tax brackets--35 percent, 25 percent, and 12 percent--and doubling the standard deduction from $12,000 to $24,000. This is something that we are looking forward to doing to benefit the American people. We talk much in these Halls about bipartisan support or bipartisan this or that. When did it become an issue, when did it become a problem, and when did it become a point of contention to allow the American people to keep more of the money from the hard work they put in day in and day out, week in and week out? That is something that we must do. That is something that should not even be a place of argument or a place of debate when it comes back allowing these folks to continue. For some, we can get past the tax credit language. We can move on beyond the charitable deductions and all the different political and accounting words. What about just the family of four that needs another car, that needs to be able to afford a car payment to get a mom or a dad back and forth to work, or maybe a teenager in the house? We have been through that twice now. We had more claims than we probably should, but we get it. But also, maybe it is a few more times out to eat or to the movies, the things that make you want to get up every day and continue to pursue that American Dream. But not only from the individual side of this--certainly very important--but what about this corporate tax rate, this business rate that we talk constantly about that almost has become Washington jargon talking points? Why is that so important? Over the years since the 1930s and 1940s, our corporate business rate has climbed to the highest in the industrial world. Why is that? Why would we make it tougher on our manufacturers and our companies to have a higher tax rate? What incentive is it to stay here? We could track company after company. I come from the State of North Carolina where textiles and furniture used to be two of our top three job providers. A lot of those companies now you will find in Vietnam or other places. That corporate tax rate that literally has gone through the roof, why wouldn't we want to reduce that business rate? Why wouldn't we want to incentivize companies to begin to bring those jobs back to the United States? I think it is crucial, and I think it is something that all of us should have the energy and the ability to be able to get behind and really push forward. We have been promising this for how long? Since 1986? I was a junior in high school. Thirty-one years this has been on the docket, and the moment is now for us to deliver. If it is not now, as Reagan used to say, then when? Then how? What should we be doing if it is not fulfilling the very promise that we have made to the American people, and that is that we are going to provide genuine--not some kind of phony legislation, not some kind of showboat, but genuine tax reform and tax relief for the American people? Now, you may hear sometimes that, hey, the Republican plan is only for the most wealthy. Let's look at the numbers. Let's put a little math equation up, if we could, please. Let's say that the most wealthy--if you are talking about somebody who makes $1 million, let's say we reduce their taxes by 1 percent. My math that I am doing here in my mind, that comes to about $10,000. Let's say, if you go to that middle-income family, two parents working as hard as they can, they are bringing about $50,000 a year annually, yet their tax break, their tax benefit is 10 percent. Now, math tells me that is only $5,000 compared to the $10,000. So you may hear the spin from time to time, well, the wealthier are getting the higher tax break, the wealthier are getting the higher tax credit. Listen, when it comes to dollar for dollar, the impact that that makes to the middle and lower income families is drastic. I will tell you this. Every time we turn around, every time that each Member goes back and forth to his district, he is hearing the same message: ``Get something done.'' Tax reform is one of those areas where, specifically, we are being compelled, we are being urged, and we are being called. My fellow Members in the House, please hear those urgent voices right now. Even if Members want to move past the tax relief and the humanitarian component, is it not politically strategic for us to do what we have promised to do on behalf of the American people? As I said in my opening, I am confident that the American people will deliver the final grade over the next 3 months. The 115th Congress, what kind of grade will we have over the next 3 months if we do not deliver on these three promises? I am hoping that that urgency is resonating. Repealing and replacing, continuing to fight to repeal and replace ObamaCare, to make sure that we are continuing to reform and do everything that we can to reform the Tax Code. Finally, the promise that we have been making year after year is to make sure that we are protecting the American people by securing our border. I understand that each of these items is a major legislative item in its own right. To be frank, we should have been delivering on them throughout the year. It is October, the 10th month of year. It is high past time. We only have such a busy agenda this late in the game because we haven't delivered on our promises. I want to thank my colleagues and fellow Republican Study Committee members tonight for joining us this evening. I would ask the American people to continue to support and continue to urge their Members of Congress to deliver on these promises. Mr. Speaker, I yield back the balance of my time.

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Chairman, $20.2 trillion. Our national debt is more than $20.2 trillion. Let's put it this way: each American's share of the national debt is $62,000. From the retiree in North Carolina who has already done so much to serve the country, to the newborn child in New York with so much potential, that is $62,000. In fact, it is more than the median American family brings home in an entire year. Our debt continues to mount, even as Federal reserves reach record highs. This leads to an undeniable conclusion, even from Captain Obvious: the Federal Government has a spending problem. The growing Federal Government has significant negative consequences for the country and its people. The large Federal debt reduces investment, productivity, and wages, while Federal interventions in the economy reduce the incentive to work, resulting in a shrinking labor market. The debt can have dangerous implications for our national security, recently causing a bipartisan group of leading national security officials to write that ``our long-term debt is the single greatest threat to our national security.'' Most fundamentally, when the Federal Government is too big and too intrusive, it interferes with our unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. Eleven months ago, the American people voted to give Republicans unified control of government. Now it is time to follow through and implement the policy agenda that Congress and the President were elected on. As the calendar moves into fall, the grade of the 115th Congress will be delivered on whether we can reform our inefficient Tax Code. This process starts with the budget. Along with repealing ObamaCare and securing our border, the Republican Study Committee budget allows us to fulfill these promises, and more. This fiscal year 2018 RSC budget ensures a strong national security, robust economic growth, equal opportunity for all, a sustainable social safety net, and a return to constitutionally limited government, all with a goal of securing America's future economy. Instead of a future of high debt and low growth, the RSC budget proposes a positive blueprint for success and opportunity. Our budget focuses on progrowth, profamily policies that will boost America's economy and provide a strong fiscal foundation for generations to come. Mr. Chairman, in closing, I would like to thank my friend, Mr. McClintock, for his leadership of the RSC budget task force, as well as all the members of the Republican Study Committee who participated in this effort. With this budget, we have accomplished our goals of detailing the variety of bold policy solutions, as well as helping to influence the balanced budget offered by my friend, Chairman Black, to include meaningful, enforceable, reconciliation targets, as the RSC budget does, so that we can begin the essential task of implementing these policies into law. My fellow Members, when will our debt matter? Next year? The year after? In 6 years, we are projected to spend more than $650 billion on interest alone on our debt.

Mr. WALKER. What will it take for our friends on the left to stop hijacking the American Dream for our children and grandchildren? Is it not a moral injustice to leave this level of debt to the next generation? Mr. Chairman, we have been making this argument in the House for years. Today, it is time to make a difference.

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Madam Speaker, I thank Representative Handel for yielding. As a former minister and as an American, even as a human being, I believe that every boy and girl is conceived with God-given potential and unique talents and abilities--abilities they will use to serve others and make a difference. Let me put it this way: I know a young man named Luke. Luke's mother was in for a surprise when, at only 24 weeks into her pregnancy, her baby boy decided it was time to meet the world. To make a long story short, Luke worked through complications with his family, and he serves in our district office in North Carolina. Every life is an opportunity. Every life is precious. A little earlier we were challenged by the accusation that Republicans only are concerned about budget. It goes out the window when it comes to this issue. You know what? You are right. We don't put a price on life. We cherish it. Madam Speaker, I am a proud cosponsor of the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act, and I encourage my colleagues to support it.

Mr. WALKER

Mr. WALKER. Mr. Speaker, 16 years ago today, atop a pile of rubble that just 3 days before stood tall as the World Trade Center, President Bush proclaimed to a hurting Nation: ``I can hear you, the rest of the world hears you.'' With bullhorn in hand and arm wrapped around a firefighter, he added: ``And the people who knocked these buildings down will hear all of us soon.'' That same day, Congress passed an Authorization for Use of Military Force to combat international terrorism. Today, that fight still continues, yet the international community has refused to define terrorism. How are we, and other nations, to fight a war against something that we cannot even define? Today, I am introducing the Define it to Fight it Act, a bill that withholds 10 percent of our contributions to the United Nations until they are willing to define national terrorism, the very thing that they are supposed to be fighting. To fulfill President Bush's promise, we must name our enemy and then make sure they hear us loud and clear, not just for our lifetime, but for generations to come.