Weekly Columns
October 1, 2018
Last week, Congress responsibly fulfilled its most fundamental duty to the American people by funding some of the nation's most critical and pressing needs. The legislation signed into law by the president not only provides funding to strengthen and support our national defense, but it ensures vital programs and initiatives that serve all Americans can continue to do so effectively. While this recent action by Congress and the president is unquestionably good news for the country, I am proud that it also marks a historic and much-needed return to governing by regular order.
Issues:Economy & Small Business
September 7, 2018
For the second time during his term in office, President Trump has had the opportunity to place a new Justice on the Supreme Court. His first pick Justice Neil Gorsuch was an excellent one, and since joining the high court, Justice Gorsuch has served faithfully and diligently. When Justice Anthony Kennedy, who has served on the Supreme Court for nearly 30 years, announced his retirement earlier this year, another critical seat opened. President Trump swiftly and decisively nominated Judge Brett Kavanaugh of the U.S. Court of Appeals in D.C.
August 27, 2018
The August Congressional recess is a great time for Congress to do important work back in the district and abroad. During the first week of August, I had the opportunity to travel with five of my colleagues to frontline states and important NATO allies in Europe. Our first stop was the United Kingdom – shortly after it had been confirmed that a British citizen was killed by left over poison from the attempted murder of a Russian defector on British soil. This confirmation served as a reminder that the Russians are unreliable, dangerous and reckless.
August 20, 2018
For decades, the United States has grappled with the often contentious and theocratic regime of Iran. Iran is not a friend to the United States. It is a nation well known for funding, training and harboring terrorists, and often, the United States has been the target of such activity. Under President Trump's leadership, the U.S. has approached Iran's inconsistent and unreliable commitment to denuclearization.
August 6, 2018
As the United States continues its historic buildup of its defense capabilities, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) has committed to increasing security investments as well. Russia seeks to change the international order by stressing our alliances, undermining national institutions, and supporting conflicts around the world. Its goal is to exert greater influence around the globe and demonstrate Russia is not only a nuclear power, but a Great Power.
July 30, 2018
Despite much controversy and reporting surrounding the U.S. – Russia summit in Helsinki, Finland, America's foreign policy with Russia under President Trump's Administration has been stronger than the previous three administrations. But as the United States continues to fight the advances of Russian aggression, the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) is being strengthened by the joint actions of the U.S. and its allies.
July 23, 2018
The country has been tangled in many debates lately that seem to create partisan divides in our daily conversations. However, it is important to note that there has been serious bipartisan work completed in Congress. Recently, the House has considered and passed multiple pieces of sweeping legislation to address one of the more pressing issues on the home front – the fight against opioid abuse and addiction.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), 115 Americans die every day from an opiate overdose – that is one American every 13 minutes.
July 16, 2018
Less than two weeks ago, Justice Anthony Kennedy announced his retirement from the Supreme Court after three decades of service. Appointed by President Reagan in 1988, Justice Kennedy was one of the court's conservative voices, though in recent years he has been the deciding "swing vote" in many high-profile cases. Following the death of Justice Antonin Scalia in 2016, then candidate Donald Trump made it one of his campaign promises to appoint a justice whose judicial philosophy would emulate that of the late Justice's.
July 10, 2018
It is often said that the United States is a nation of immigrants. Indeed, other than our Native American population, that is true. Historically, the United States has been one of the most generous countries in terms of allowing people born in other parts of the world to legally enter the country and live the American dream. The U.S. currently accepts over a million immigrants a year legally. Despite this generous policy, many people continue to enter the country illegally.
The U.S.
Issues:Immigration
July 2, 2018
As the leader on the global stage, the United States is re-entering an era of military preeminence. Our nation's military needs to be restored to advance America's competitive military advantage to rival those of nation's like China and Russia, as stated in the recent National Defense Strategy. We now believe that the greatest threat to America is not terrorism, but the reemergence of great power rivals like China and Russia.