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(D) reduce the burden on, and provide cer-
tainty for, future generations; and 
(E) secure the future of the Disability In-
surance program while addressing the needs of 
those with disabilities today and improving the 
determination process. 
SEC. 705. POLICY STATEMENT ON HIGHER EDUCATION AF-
FORDABILITY. 
(a) FINDINGS.—The House finds the following: 
(1) A well-educated workforce is critical to eco-
nomic, job, and wage growth. 
(2) More than 21 million students are enrolled 
in American colleges and universities. 
(3) Over the last decade, tuition and fees have 
been growing at an unsustainable rate. Between the 
2001-2002 Academic Year and the 2011-2012 Aca-
demic Year: 
(A) Published tuition and fees for in-State 
students at public four-year colleges and univer-
sities increased at an average rate of 5.6 per-
cent per year beyond the rate of general infla-
tion. 
(B) Published tuition and fees for in-State 
students at public two-year colleges and univer-
sities increased at an average rate of 3.8 per-
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cent per year beyond the rate of general infla-
tion. 
(C) Published tuition and fees for in-State 
students at private four-year colleges and uni-
versities increased at an average rate of 2.6 
percent per year beyond the rate of general in-
flation. 
(4) Over that same period, Federal financial aid 
has increased 140 percent beyond the rate of general 
inflation. 
(5) This spending has failed to make college 
more affordable. 
(6) In his 2012 State of the Union Address, 
President Obama noted that, ‘‘We can’t just keep 
subsidizing skyrocketing tuition; we’ll run out of 
money.’’ 
(7) American students are chasing ever-increas-
ing tuition with ever-increasing debt. According to 
the Federal Reserve Bank of New York, student 
debt nearly tripled between 2004 and 2012, and now 
stands at nearly $1 trillion. Student debt now has 
the second largest balance after mortgage debt. 
(8) Students are carrying large debt loads and 
too many fail to complete college or end up default-
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ing on these loans due to their debt burden and a 
weak economy and job market. 
(9) Based on estimates from the Congressional 
Budget Office, the Pell Grant Program will face a 
fiscal shortfall beginning in fiscal year 2015 and 
continuing in each subsequent year in the current 
budget window. 
(10) Failing to address these problems will 
jeopardize access and affordability to higher edu-
cation for America’s young people. 
(b) POLICY
ON
HIGHER
EDUCATION
AFFORD-
ABILITY.—It is the policy of this resolution to address the 
root drivers of tuition inflation, by— 
(1) targeting Federal financial aid to those 
most in need; 
(2) streamlining programs that provide aid to 
make them more effective; 
(3) maintaining the maximum Pell grant award 
level at $5,645 in each year of the budget window; 
and 
(4) removing regulatory barriers in higher edu-
cation that act to restrict flexibility and innovative 
teaching, particularly as it relates to non-traditional 
models such as online coursework and competency- 
based learning. 
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SEC. 706. POLICY STATEMENT ON DEFICIT REDUCTION 
THROUGH THE CANCELLATION OF UNOBLI-
GATED BALANCES. 
(a) FINDINGS.—The House finds the following: 
(1) According to the last available estimate 
from the Office of Management and Budget, Federal 
agencies were expected to hold $698 billion in unob-
ligated balances at the close of fiscal year 2013. 
(2) These funds represent direct and discre-
tionary spending made available by Congress that 
remains available for expenditure beyond the fiscal 
year for which they are provided. 
(3) In some cases, agencies are granted funding 
and it remains available for obligation indefinitely. 
(4) The Congressional Budget and Impound-
ment Control Act of 1974 requires the Office of 
Management and Budget to make funds available to 
agencies for obligation and prohibits the Administra-
tion from withholding or cancelling unobligated 
funds unless approved by an act of Congress. 
(5) Greater congressional oversight is required 
to review and identify potential savings from 
unneeded balances of funds. 
(b) POLICY STATEMENT ON DEFICIT REDUCTION 
THROUGH THE CANCELLATION OF UNOBLIGATED BAL-
ANCES.—Congressional committees shall through their 
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oversight activities identify and achieve savings through 
the cancellation or rescission of unobligated balances that 
neither abrogate contractual obligations of the Govern-
ment nor reduce or disrupt Federal commitments under 
programs such as Social Security, veterans’ affairs, na-
tional security, and Treasury authority to finance the na-
tional debt. 
(c) DEFICIT REDUCTION.—Congress, with the assist-
ance of the Government Accountability Office, the Inspec-
tors General, and other appropriate agencies should make 
it a high priority to review unobligated balances and iden-
tify savings for deficit reduction. 
SEC. 707. POLICY STATEMENT ON RESPONSIBLE STEWARD-
SHIP OF TAXPAYER DOLLARS. 
(a) FINDINGS.—The House finds the following: 
(1) The House of Representatives cut budgets 
for Members of Congress, House committees, and 
leadership offices by 5 percent in 2011 and an addi-
tional 6.4 percent in 2012. 
(2) The House of Representatives achieved sav-
ings of $36.5 million over three years by consoli-
dating House operations and renegotiating con-
tracts. 
(b) POLICY.—It is the policy of this resolution that: 
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