Jim Banks: “Woman, in total, the Energy and Water Development division cost the American taxpayers $46.4 billion. That is a 4…”

“Woman, in total, the Energy and Water Development division cost the American taxpayers $46.4 billion. That is a 4 percent increase above the fiscal year 2019-enacted level. Specifically, the division includes $23.3 billion for nondefense activities, which is an increase of $1.1 billion above the fiscal year 2019-enacted level. My amendment would apply a 14 percent reduction across the board to the nondefense activities included in this division. Without it, we are on track toward sequestration, which would have devastating effects on our national security. This amendment is necessary because we are at a $22 trillion national debt. That is trillion, with a T. Even before my friends across the aisle offered this reckless spending package, the Congressional Budget Office estimated that we were on track to spend $1 trillion on interest payments in 2029. That means one-fifth of the entire budget would go to paying off previous years of irresponsible spending. Madam Chairwoman, we simply cannot continue down this path. We must balance our books before writing new checks for this fiscal year. I reserve the balance of my time.”