Weekly Columns

While human trafficking is often viewed as an international problem, there is a sad yet growing presence of enslavement and exploitation crimes here in the United States. In order to bring criminals to justice and help victims heal, awareness of the problem is the first step.

Recently, I had the opportunity to hear two competing portrayals of the global situation, along with visions of the role that America should play in it. In a world that becomes more closely-linked by the day through air travel, digital communication and trade, the steps and direction that our nation takes today with its foreign policy must be decisive, determined and constantly monitored.

At the end of last year and ahead of the 114th Congress, lawmakers in both chambers voted to fund the government and avert another painful and unnecessary shutdown. While the legislation funded nearly all areas of government through the end of the fiscal year, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) was only funded through February.

Despite claims that he wants to work with the new Congress and enact positive reforms for the American people, President Obama certainly isn’t starting off the year in a way that reflects such intentions.

This week, newly elected lawmakers as well as those returning to Congress will come together and be sworn in to represent the beliefs, values and viewpoints of every state across the nation. But with the start of this new Congress also comes a fresh majority that was decisively elected by the American people.

As we prepare for the new Congress that assumes office on January 6 of 2015, it is important to think back on the full year behind us and remember what it meant for our country. While there were numerous challenges both at home and abroad, I believe that this year proved productive and set a positive example of bipartisanship.

Certainly, we always celebrate the safe return of one of our own. Especially before the holidays, we understand the relief felt by the family, friends and loved ones of Alan Gross, the U.S. citizen who was held captive in Cuba for five years after entering the country as a contractor.

Red Alert Politics - Congressman Tom Cole