Weekly Columns
With the partial government shutdown recently ended, I wanted to provide a recap of the turn of events. The past several weeks were certainly frustrating and inconvenient for all Americans, but the shutdown was especially painful for those who went without pay for more than a month.
Each year, we rightly pause to remember the life of a legendary figure in American history and courageous change agent for freedom and equality. Though Martin Luther King Jr. emerged in the midst of societal tension and conflict, his message and approach was one that sought to erase division, racism and hatred.
With the shift in majority control of the House due to the outcome of the midterms, the newly sworn-in 116th Congress will represent a challenging era of divided government. Especially in divided government, there is no room for one-sided debate. In order to get things done for the American people, bipartisan and good faith negotiation is critical.
In spite of a highly polarized and partisan political environment in 2018, Congress actually had a surprisingly productive year.
While negotiations to fully fund the government unfortunately remain underway in the Senate, I am pleased to report that lawmakers in both chambers of Congress did recently complete work on bipartisan legislation to improve the federal justice system.
As Congress continues to finish its work this year, I am encouraged that lawmakers in both chambers recently finalized and approved legislation that is vital to the success of our nation’s farmers and ranchers.
While much has been accomplished this year, there are still several items left to complete. As the current Congress concludes, lawmakers must come together to finish the remaining work.
Over the weekend, communities across the country had the opportunity to participate in Small Business Saturday. While this annual shop local event encourages Americans to get out and show support for small businesses in their neighborhoods, it also serves as a reminder that a thriving economy is driven by our Main Street job creators.