[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 3]
[Senate]
[Pages 4137-4138]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                               THE BUDGET

  Mrs. CAPITO. Mr. President, turning to the budget, I rise in strong 
support of this resolution that delivers on the promise to balance our 
budget without increasing taxes. West Virginia families and families 
across our country understand they cannot continually spend more money 
than they take in. Each month families have to balance their budgets 
and decide how to spend their limited resources, make tough choices, 
set priorities, and account for unexpected expenses.
  Unfortunately, annual deficits are routine for the Federal 
Government, but we have recently endured 4 straight years with an 
annual deficit of at least $1 trillion. Despite recent drops, our 
national debt now stands at $18 trillion. That totals more than $56,000 
for every American.
  American families cannot withstand spending more than they earn from 
month to month and neither should the Federal Government.
  The debate on this budget resolution brings the Senate to an 
important crossroads. We can choose the President's path, which 
increases taxes and

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adds another $6 trillion to our national debt, or we can choose to 
support the responsible budget on the Senate floor this week. If we 
fail to make the tough decisions to reduce our Federal spending, we 
will leave mountains of debt to our children and our grandchildren.
  Our first responsibility as leaders should be to leave our country 
better and stronger for the next generation of Americans. That starts 
by taking steps to balance our budget, and this budget balances in 10 
years.
  This budget provides us with the flexibility to address many of the 
important issues confronting our Nation, including evolving threats 
from terrorists. When West Virginians hear about ISIS, instability in 
Yemen, the failing state of Iraq, the first thing we think about is the 
safety and security of our own families. Terrorism hits close to home, 
and we must ensure we have the flexibility to fund a strong national 
defense. Like American families, we must have flexibility to account 
for unexpected expenses and unexpected threats as they arise.
  This budget resolution gives us the ability to pass a long-term 
highway bill that is paid for. We must invest in our Nation's roads and 
bridges and do so in a fiscally responsible way.
  This budget resolution paves the way for an extension of the State 
Children's Health Insurance Program--a bipartisan initiative which 
will, hopefully, be considered by the Senate in short order. This 
budget facilitates changes that help our rural hospitals continue to 
provide critical medical services in their communities.
  Our Nation's priorities are reflected in this Nation's budget. I want 
to draw special attention to the energy provisions in this budget. I 
have said many times an energy economy is a jobs economy. Energy is at 
the forefront of many West Virginians' minds, whether we are paying for 
our monthly energy bill or checking the gas prices.
  The production of coal and natural gas accounts for tens of thousands 
of jobs in West Virginia. In recent years, we have seen what advances 
in energy technology can do to broaden energy production and benefit 
the broader economy. The shale boom has made the United States a 
leading producer of both oil and natural gas. The benefits are felt by 
Americans every time they fill their tank and balance their budgets at 
the end of the month.
  In my State of West Virginia, Marcellus shale natural gas production 
is creating jobs and providing the opportunity to expand downstream 
manufacturing, but Federal Government policies can hamstring our energy 
economy by slowing the production and the use of our resources.
  West Virginia, unfortunately, has seen that firsthand in our State's 
coal mining industry, where thousands of jobs have been lost. Just last 
week, AEP issued layoff notices to employees at three West Virginia 
powerplants. These closures are years ahead of schedule and the early 
closures are solely because of the Federal Government's MATS rule.
  Yesterday, Patriot Coal announced it was temporarily idling the Paint 
Creek Complex, which employs 400 workers in West Virginia. Coal-fired 
plant closures driven by EPA emission regulations were cited as part of 
the problem.
  The upcoming EPA regulations for carbon emissions from powerplants 
will have an even more devastating impact. Findings from reports by 
well-respected economic analysis firms show costs could get up to $479 
billion over a 15-year period while causing double-digit electricity 
price increases in 43 States.
  Over half of the country's power comes from coal. Yet EPA is 
predicting that by effectively eliminating one-half of our energy 
production we will reduce average electricity prices by 8 percent. 
Well, somehow that just doesn't add up. How does this impact our 
Federal budget?
  An energy economy that works will provide the low-cost, reliable 
electricity to power our broader economy. By contrast, excessive 
regulation means fewer people working in my State's energy sector. 
Higher cost, less-reliable energy is a tax against manufacturing and 
job growth across the country. That means fewer individuals working, 
fewer businesses providing jobs, and, ultimately, fewer government 
revenues.
  The budget resolution before us this week recognizes the importance 
of American energy production. The reserve funds in this budget will 
improve our energy infrastructure, reform environmental regulations and 
promote job growth. To supplement the strong energy provisions already 
in the budget,
I have filed several amendments to strengthen our energy security.
  Last year, the administration reached a climate agreement with China. 
That agreement requires short-term carbon emission reductions in the 
United States, but China is allowed to continue increasing its carbon 
emissions until 2030. That disparity could place the United States at a 
significant economic disadvantage.
  My amendment would block any international environmental agreement 
that would result in serious harm to the U.S. economy.
  I have also filed an amendment that would block EPA from finalizing, 
proposing or issuing any regulation that would reduce the reliability 
of the electricity grid. Our economy relies on electricity being 
available. Families expect the lights will come on when they flip the 
switch. They expect to have heat in the winter and air-conditioning in 
the summer. This simple amendment says no regulation from EPA can 
imperil access to reliable electricity. That makes sense to me.
  I urge my colleagues to support the balanced budget that is before 
the Senate this week, including these amendments, and to support 
policies that will allow our economy to benefit from America's vast 
energy resources. The jobs and the revenues that come from energy 
production can play a significant role in a responsible Federal budget.
  The American people elected us to make government more efficient, 
effective, and accountable. American families must live within a 
budget, States must adhere to a budget, and it is time for the Federal 
Government to do the same.
  Mr. President, I yield the floor.
  The PRESIDING OFFICER. The Senator from Pennsylvania.

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