Brett Guthrie: “First, I want to point out the list that was read of teaching health centers. The text of the bill is very clear: that…”

“First, I want to point out the list that was read of teaching health centers. The text of the bill is very clear: that we only rescind unobligated funding. If the funding has been obligated, then it continues to move forward. So, as to the list that was read, those will be funded. The amendment before us directs the GAO to determine the number of physicians who will be trained by this program if funds are not kept mandatory. I oppose the general premise that a program must have mandatory funding in order to be effective. This type of thinking has led us to massive budget deficits as far as the eye can see. During the debate on the continuing resolution, I can remember more than a few Members complaining that reductions in discretionary spending would have little impact on the deficit. There is some truth to the fact that discretionary spending which Congress has more control over comprises an increasingly smaller share of the Federal budget. {time} 1540 It seems to me that some people's solutions to reining in the discretionary ledger of our Federal budget is to simply shift programs from discretionary to mandatory and let the spending cruise on auto pilot. That is not responsible governing. In a time of $1.5 trillion annual deficits, we must make spending priorities. However, setting priorities involves tough choices.…”