Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you for holding this hearing.

I have introduced bipartisan legislation requiring the Comptroller General come before Congress on an annual basis to provide an overview of our Nation's long-term financial outlook.

The problem is 1 or 2 percent on a $3.5 trillion budget is a big number in many cases.

I am very concerned about Social Security. I am very concerned about the shortfalls and the outlays.

It is our responsibility to ensure that our constituents' hard-earned dollars are being properly spent.

I believe that reforming the IRS's ability to administrate our tax code is a critical next step.

If we are able to reduce the business income tax rate to a much lower consumption tax, would that be a pro-growth policy?

The Federal Government is on a fiscal path that is unsustainable.

I keep saying back home, and we know that we have to cut taxes to avoid companies from leaving.

We got to cut rates. We got to reduce our unsustainable path, and we got to look at what we are spending.

I want to applaud you and the President for proposing a long overdue balanced budget, and one that begins reducing our national debt.