Jason Altmire: “I wasn't sure if the gentleman was planning to transition into another topic as he draws to a close.”

The passage of last summer's Budget Control Act sent a strong, bipartisan message to the country that we are serious about reducing our deficit.

Social Security, Medicare, and veterans benefit programs represent an ironclad agreement between citizens and the federal government, a promise that can never be broken.

We have no further speakers on our side. I yield back the balance of my time.

I have an amendment at the desk. The Acting CHAIR. The Clerk will report the amendment. The Clerk read as follows: Page 127, line 5, after the dollar amount insert the following: ``(increased by $5,500,000)''. Page 128, line 11, after the…