Weekly Columns
Last month, President Obama filed his annual budget blueprint for fiscal year 2015. While the contents of his proposal have been a major topic of discussion in the news since then, its official release on March 4 will determine the next steps for lawmakers, who must work together to ultimately find a common agreement.
Throughout my tenure in Congress, I have been a strong supporter of Israel and its right to exist. Like the United States, Israel is committed to living peaceably, fighting terrorism, defending freedom and protecting democracy. As we remain grounded in similar ideals and aware of the threats in our midst, we must continue fostering our relationship with Israel, our valuable friend and only democratic ally in the Middle East.
Like a person’s credit card limit, the debt ceiling is not meant to be reached or exceeded. If the nation approaches or reaches the debt ceiling, it should signal lawmakers and the president to deal with the debt, not add to it.
We are a nation that embraces hard work and opportunity. Since our founding more than 237 years ago, American trailblazers have shown time and again that success is possible in our great land—a promise that has been passed on to each and every generation.
As President Theodore Roosevelt once wrote, “I have a very strong feeling that it is a president’s duty to get on with Congress if he possibly can, and that it is a reflection upon him if he and Congress come to a complete break.”
For more than 237 years Americans have sought opportunity and pursued what has come to be known as the American Dream. And even in the midst of a broken economy, that desire still burns brightly in the hearts of most of our fellow countrymen.
Despite President Obama's promise to create jobs, we still have a severe unemployment problem. While there are many factors hindering job creators, including regulatory costs or Obamacare implementation fees, the American people have yet to see real solutions from the Administration that grow the economy or improve the workforce.
The Affordable Care Act remains vastly unpopular across the country, and problems with the program continue to be revealed. These realities could actually prevent the president’s healthcare law from going into effect at the start of this year. On January 1, those enrolled for coverage under Obamacare became eligible to receive it. But the days ahead are likely to uncover more insurmountable problems for patients, doctors, employers and insurers.
It’s hard to believe that 2013 is already reaching an end. While Congress didn’t solve everything we could’ve hoped for this year, there were numerous victories for the country. Most importantly, I was encouraged to watch both sides work together on several occasions to find common ground and display true bipartisanship. It’s a reminder that when we start where we agree, we can function in divided government.