Weekly Columns
Once again, Congress is quickly approaching another critical deadline related to government funding. At this time last year when Republicans controlled both chambers of Congress, more than 75 percent of annual funding had already been signed into law in record time before the start of the fiscal year. Unfortunately, now more than two months into the current fiscal year, no full-year appropriations bills have passed out of Congress or been signed into law.
For many Americans, the days following Thanksgiving are filled with starting or finishing up Christmas gift and holiday shopping. Whether purchasing at brick and mortar stores or online, the holiday rush highlights the numerous places we can look for the perfect gifts and holiday items. Over the weekend, we were rightly reminded to shop small and shop local during this holiday season. But while Small Business Saturday prompts us to support our friends and neighbors who operate mom-and-pop retailers and restaurants, it should encourage us to regularly stop by as patrons.
Each year in the United States of America, we observe the special tradition of coming together around a table of food to reflect on our blessings. Especially during a time of great division and polarization, it is important for Americans to join in collective gratitude this year.
First designated as National Alzheimer's Awareness Month in 1983 by President Ronald Reagan, November draws attention to the widespread impact of this mysterious disease. Like many others across the nation, my family knows all too well the heartbreaking decline that takes place in those suffering with Alzheimer's. During the last several years of my father's life, my family watched helplessly and with heavy hearts as a lifetime of memories disappeared for him through the various stages of the disease.
Each year on the eleventh of November, we rightly pause to honor and remember the bravery and boldness of the men and women who selflessly answered the call of duty and wore one of the many great military uniforms of the United States of America. Without question, we owe a constant debt of gratitude to generations of veterans, including many of our own family members, who made sacrifices to ensure the safety of our homeland and who faithfully fought to promote and preserve America's precious freedoms.
The last several weeks have been eventful in terms of one particular topic, and that is House Democrats and Speaker Nancy Pelosi's unprecedented pursuit of impeachment. Especially on something as consequential as impeaching the President of the United States, it is a disservice to the American people for one political party to dictate the terms of the process, as Democrats have done since day one.
President Donald Trump and Japan's Prime Minister Shinzo Abe recently announced that our two countries finalized a limited trade agreement, and I am encouraged that it was formally signed by both countries this week. While I was participating in a congressional delegation trip to Japan and other Pacific Rim nations in August, we were told that a deal would likely be agreed to soon. A couple of months later, I am pleased it has finally come to fruition. This limited agreement is particularly good news for American farmers, ranchers and manufacturers.