[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 161 (2015), Part 4]
[House]
[Page 4870]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 A BALANCED BUDGET FOR A BETTER AMERICA

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. The Chair recognizes the gentleman from 
Pennsylvania (Mr. Thompson) for 5 minutes.
  Mr. THOMPSON of Pennsylvania. Mr. Speaker, on September 22, 2011, 
former Joint Chiefs of Staff Admiral Mike Mullen referred to our 
national debt as ``the single biggest threat to our national 
security.''
  He was correct in his statement that the United States continues to 
suffer from overbearing debt and, unless immediate action is taken, 
future generations will face unsurmountable challenges.
  No one wants a future where policymakers are forced to choose between 
discretionary programs, like roads and bridges or educating our 
children, when they continue to be crowded out by mandatory spending 
which accounts for more than two-thirds of our annual budget.
  We need a strong social safety net. We need a strong national 
defense. We need an America where young learners can have access to a 
quality education and workers can receive the skills that they need to 
gain family-sustaining jobs and keep businesses thriving and 
competitive, both domestically and globally.
  Unfortunately, aspirations for a more prosperous America are not 
going to be achieved until we begin to get out from underneath this 
burden of debt.
  Mr. Speaker, since 2009, the Obama administration has added more than 
$7 trillion to our national debt, and today, we owe more than $18 
trillion, an amount greater than the annual gross domestic product.
  While bipartisan agreements have led to some successes since 2011, 
Congress must continue to put forth a blueprint that aims to reduce 
deficit spending and provide a path to long-term fiscal stability.
  Recently, the House passed a strong budget resolution that aims to 
reduce spending by $5.5 trillion over 10 years to get a handle on 
erroneous regulations and mandates that impede job creation and promote 
true patient-centered healthcare solutions.
  Mr. Speaker, the critics of this plan have unashamedly claimed that 
Republicans ``want to end Medicare as we know it.'' Well, those 
accusations could not be further from the truth. Unfortunately, these 
nearsighted individuals have focused more on partisan attacks rather 
than looking at the long-term challenges that we, as a country, face 
together.
  According to the nonpartisan Congressional Budget Office, the 
Medicare hospital trust fund will be insolvent by 2030, which is closer 
than we all would like to admit.
  The House Republican proposal presents a plan to save, strengthen, 
and secure Medicare for today's seniors and tomorrow's retirees. It 
makes no changes for those in or near retirement, provides future 
seniors with premium support, and will result in actual savings for 
both beneficiaries and taxpayers.
  The do-nothing alternative will only serve to break promises this 
country has made to our seniors and places us on a road to rationing, 
where beneficiaries will be burdened with arbitrary caps to medically 
necessary procedures and care.
  Mr. Speaker, I am in no way claiming this blueprint is perfect, but 
please be assured that I was not elected to sit idle or squander an 
opportunity to ensure that our great country can continue to support 
promises that we have made.
  Moving forward, as the House and Senate begin to conference and work 
out the details between each Chamber's respective budgets, I will 
remain committed to ensuring a strong national security, economic 
competitiveness, and an atmosphere that fosters positive growth 
throughout Pennsylvania and across our great country.
  We have been given an opportunity to strengthen this great Nation. 
Let us work toward that end, rather than vilify those who look to 
provide us options. Our children and future generations of Americans 
deserve as much.

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