Weekly Columns
July 24, 2017
This past week, as the House Appropriations Committee considered all twelve bills to fund the government, one of the more significant funding measures was passed. The Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies (LHHS) Appropriations Subcommittee is responsible for funding some of our government's most vital agencies that reflect the things we place value on as a society – our health, our jobs and our education.
Issues:EducationHealthcare
July 17, 2017
For fifty-six years, Congress has consecutively passed a National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This legislation authorizes funding and operations for the Department of Defense and military personnel. It is one of Congress' most basic and fundamental responsibilities.
The NDAA recently passed by Congress provides one of the largest funding boosts our military has received in eight years at $631.5 billion, with a $28.5 billion increase for essential readiness recovery.
July 10, 2017
For more than fifty years the United States has had a contentious and adverse relationship with North Korea. Since the end of the Korean War in 1953, we have maintained a military presence in South Korea and have considered South Korea as a strong ally in the region.
While the relationship between the two nations has long simmered, the past four decades have focused on North Korea's quest to attain nuclear capabilities and the United States' efforts to prevent it from doing so.
July 3, 2017
Independence Day has always been one of my favorite national holidays. From the parades, the cookouts, the flags and fireworks, and the outpouring of national pride and patriotism, it's simply a great day to celebrate with family, friends and community.
June 27, 2017
The last time Congress made significant changes in the tax code, Ronald Reagan was president. A lot has changed since then, and it is long overdue for an overhaul of the tax code that reflects our changing economy, trade practices and societal priorities. When Speaker Ryan delivered his speech on tax reform last week, he made it clear that Americans must have confidence in our economy, their jobs, and their ability to care for themselves and their families. Our current tax code is overly burdensome and complicated.
Issues:Taxes
June 19, 2017
Since becoming president, Donald Trump has consistently vowed to rebuild our national defense and to improve the services we render to our veterans. Last week, the House of Representatives took the first step for helping the president make good on that promise. When it comes to funding veterans' programs, our nation spends more on veterans than any other country in the world. Each year, Congress is responsible for maintaining that funding, and just this past week, the bill to fund the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) and military construction was introduced in the House.
June 12, 2017
President Trump has come under fire recently because of his decision to withdraw the United States from the Paris Climate Agreement. I believe he was right to do so. The agreement would have damaged the U.S. economy, eliminated millions of jobs, and drastically increased the cost of energy for American consumers. It also would have required the United States to shoulder the costs in a manner far disproportionate to the amount of greenhouse gasses we produce.
Issues:Natural Resources
June 5, 2017
This week, the House of Representatives will consider legislation that will provide badly needed regulatory relief to community banks, credit unions and consumers. The Financial CHOICE Act (Creating Hope and Opportunity for Investors, Consumers and Entrepreneurs) will fundamentally alter the Dodd-Frank Act, which was enacted in 2010 in response to the financial crises of 2007-2008.
Issues:Financial Services
May 29, 2017
Last week, Donald Trump wrapped up his first foreign trip as President of the United States. His travels took him to the centers of the world's three predominant monotheistic religions, at each of which the President mixed traditional diplomacy with his own unique approach to politics and public policy.
May 22, 2017
For nearly eight years Republicans have made repealing the Affordable Care Act (ACA), also known as Obamacare, one of the central tenets of their campaign. President Trump also made repealing the ACA central to his campaign. During that time, Democrats lost over 900 state legislative seats, 12 governors, 69 U.S. House seats, 13 senate seats and the White House. The recent passage of the American Health Care Act (AHCA) was the first step in making good on that promise.
Issues:Healthcare