senator mike enzi, senator john barrasso, congresswoman liz cheney, and you continue a excellent tradition. i see senator simpson down here as well. i want you all to please thank the most powerful delegation in the united states, please would you all stand and we'll give you a hand. [applause] godspeed. godspeed. [applause] the secretary buchanan, treasurer meyer, congratulations to each of you on taking your oath two times today. this morning, we had a chance to take an oath in the capitol rotunda in a very small ceremony limited by the circumstances of an active construction site. i did that because it was important to me that our terms begin in the people's house, and they be affirmed at this moment. we do it nice because we do it twice. [laughter] but thank you, i'm looking forward to serving with you and thank you for your willingness to put your name forward and to serve. you follow my friend auditor cynthia cloud whose eye for detail, diligence and indication was an inspiration for all of us who served with her. and to my friends old and new in the legislature, you have done great

wyoming senator mike enzi is in the chair. he chairs the senate budget committee.

wyoming senator mike enzi is in the chair. he chairs the senate budget committee. >> 2:30 has arrived so good afternoon, and welcome to the first hearing of the senate budget committee in the 116 congress. we have some new faces joining the committee for the first time this afternoon. and while they are not all here yet because of other committee meetings, i'd like to formally welcome the budget committee the newest members, senator brown of indiana, rick scott of florida and senator kevin kracramer of north dakota. i look forward to their contributions as we tackle our nation's pressing fiscal challenges in the year ahead. et we begin our work this year by examining the congressional budget office's annual update of the economic outlook. our witness today is dr. keith hall, the director of the cbo and probably appeared before this committee more than any other director. i'd like to welcome him and the members of his team accompanying him. we lock forward to your testimony. in my review of this report, what strikes me most is