Steve Womack

I would also like to ask a question about what I call the suppression of ingenuity or the suppression of ideas.

If we are not doing very well at some of the other fundamental jobs that are in front of Congress, ... how can we expect that government-run health care ... is going to be that one area where we do extremely well?

We haven't found the political will to find agreement.

We don't have a budget. We don't have agreed-upon numbers, yet the Appropriations Committee is marking up to numbers that have not been agreed to.

A couple of final questions.

I think Mr. Crenshaw referred to it a little bit.

In my opening statement, you heard me talk about the expected cost of government-run health care and how would we pay for it.

But we also have a lot of people that are making some very poor decisions with their lives, be it things like drugs and alcohol or, you know, matters, you know, that involve criminal conduct.

I think it is important to keep that balance.

The problem is not tomorrow. The problem is 2035.

The program is in trouble.

Strengthening retirement security for today's seniors and families, as well as future generations, is a goal that I think we all share.

One of the great frustrations I have as a Member of Congress is the fact that the varsity sport of Congress is a game called kicking the can down the road.

So let me get to a couple of questions. One, assuming that we are successful in satisfying the Pentagon's desire for a $750 million budget in 2020, can you guarantee the national security of the United States of America?

Ms. Lee just said it was bloated, questioning the motives of leadership in the Department of Defense.

As I have said before, ensuring the safety and security of our nation is the primary responsibility of the federal government.

A vast majority of American people are satisfied with our national defense.

I would respectfully disagree. There have been over 50 consecutive National Defense Authorization Acts signed into law.

I commend this Administration for completing the first full-scope, department-wide, financial statement audit of the Department of Defense.

The fact of the matter is we have a constitutional responsibility to ensure the safety and security of the American people.

Let me be clear. The consequences of failing to fully fund our national defense going forward are deadly serious and far-reaching.

In my area, in the 3rd District of Arkansas, the unemployment rate is significantly below 4 percent.

We have to make sure that they are and that the child today that we are going to endeavor to have the best healthcare possible for them, that these programs are around for them.

So $22 trillion in debt, I think you would agree, is a pretty substantial amount of money that we owe currently.

Your agency is responsible for administering programs on which millions of Americans rely, including Medicare; Medicaid; Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF; Head Start.