On the recordApril 30, 2015
I first need to commend and thank Chairman Price for all of his hard work in putting this budget resolution together. This is a rare occasion on this floor. It has been a long time since we have had a budget agreement, and it is not an easy thing to do. As one of the House budget conferees, I can tell you that a lot of work has to be done and that a lot of difficult choices have to be made. Mr. Chairman, you have done a spectacular job in getting this here to the floor. One of the most important things, Mr. Speaker, that the budget resolution has to do is to, frankly, set the stage so that we can move forward on the appropriations process. We need a budget that puts Congress and our committees on a path to move forward, and this budget resolution does it. It balances the budget within 10 years, and it does so without raising taxes. It is no secret, I believe--and I think many of us believe--that the first responsibility of the Federal Government is to protect the American people, and it is no secret that the world around us--I think greatly due to the failed foreign policy of this administration--is almost in flames. We see a growing instability, and we see a growing pressure to our allies, and we see the thugs and the enemies of freedom who believe they have a green light. We must provide for a strong national defense through the robust funding of our troops, of their training, of their equipment, of their readiness. This budget does so.…
