Virginia Foxx: “I thank the gentleman from Georgia for yielding. I also thank Chairman Ryan and his staff for their hard work in…”

“I thank the gentleman from Georgia for yielding. I also thank Chairman Ryan and his staff for their hard work in producing this budget. We owe them a debt of gratitude. Madam Speaker, budget puts a numerical value on the priorities we claim to value, and as such, it is a moral document. This budget will protect and strengthen Medicare, preserve our commitment to veterans, and keep faith with future generations by getting spending under control and fostering economic growth. This budget controls spending by ending sweetheart deals for favored corporations and returning government to its proper limits. Years of overreach and cronyism have weakened confidence in the Federal Government and damaged our economy. As Chairman Ryan mentioned in his Rules Committee testimony last night, the CBO has warned that, if we fail to address our lackluster economic growth and rising debt, our children and grandchildren are guaranteed a lower standard of living than what we currently enjoy. For the first time in American history, we may bequeath to our children and grandchildren a less prosperous country with limited opportunities to pursue their American Dream. As a mother and grandmother, I will do all I can to keep that from happening. Over the next decade, the U.S. Government will spend $5.8 trillion servicing debt--$5 trillion, Madam Speaker--simply to make interest payments to our creditors.…”