On the recordFebruary 11, 2016
I yield myself such time as I may consume. Mr. Chairman, from a few speakers today on the other side, I have heard ``Apocalypse Now.'' Both sides of the aisle, I think, want to get to a day when we balance the budget. We did it several years in a row at the end of the Clinton administration. I believe my friends on the other side of the aisle are well- intentioned in drafting this legislation. I believe they wanted to focus attention on the ways to address our debt and deficit. I agree. I believe that instead of toying with default--because that sends a horrible, horrible message to the world economy--we should do our job as Members and discuss real, long-term solutions to our budgetary challenges. In fact, I think my good friend from Texas would agree we had an outstanding discussion in the Rules Committee because I never heard that discussion on the floor of the House. Maybe I missed it. I don't know; did I miss it? Our discretionary spending, which we use to make critical investments in the infrastructure, education, and laying a foundation for our Nation's future for our kids and our grandkids' economic growth, that discretionary spending is at the lowest level since 1940. Even the gentleman from Virginia, who started to refer to it anyway, said a few moments ago, only talked about 30 percent discretionary money. But it was wrong what he said. We have not done anything to our insurance programs or entitlements.…
