Weekly Columns
The recently released annual status review of the mission in Afghanistan and Pakistan reveals our armed forces have achieved significant gains during the past 12 months. Although Americans can always depend on the skill and courage of our troops, whether they would receive the political support necessary for success in Afghanistan remained an open question this time last year. Prior to the unveiling of President Obama's Afghanistan strategy in December 2009, it was unclear whether the new president would demonstrate the commitment necessary to complete the mission.
One of the last pieces of legislation passed by the 111th Congress before adjourning last week was a hastily crafted funding bill to keep the government functioning until March 2011. In keeping with most of the legislation produced under Pelosi's majority, it is fiscally irresponsible, haphazardly constructed, and out of touch with the priorities of mainstream Americans.
Last week in a rare display of bipartisanship, Congress voted to extend the so-called Bush tax cuts for another two years. In so doing, they effectively stopped a massive tax increase that would have hit every single American taxpayer. I supported this legislation but with some reservations. My personal preference would have been to extend the tax cuts permanently, and to eliminate the death tax completely. And I have serious reservations about a payroll tax holiday that will undermine the solvency of Social Security.
After months of uncertainty, the tax compromise announced last week by President Obama was welcome news -- and not a moment too soon. With tax rates set to increase for all taxpayers on January 1, time is running short for Congress to act to avert tax hikes. The agreement reached between Obama and Congressional leaders is far from perfect, but it is considerably better than allowing taxes to go up for every American.
After months of deliberation, President Obama's debt commission released its report last week. Officially named the National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform, the panel formed in February to develop solutions to our staggering national debt.
In less than five weeks, tax hikes will go into effect for virtually all tax brackets unless Congress takes action. Despite public and bipartisan support for maintaining the current tax rates, President Obama and Democratic leaders in Congress have repeatedly refused to bring the issue to a vote. President Obama insists that his plan to raise taxes on the highest tax brackets will not affect job creators, but the facts indicate otherwise.
The intrusion of the federal government into Americans' daily lives has become more extensive than the Founding Fathers ever intended. From burdensome taxes to excessive regulations, my fellow Oklahomans frequently share with me their frustration with government interference. Restoring the principles of limited government will be a primary focus of the next Congress, and legislation I have introduced to protect states' 10th Amendment rights would help achieve this important objective.
The midterm elections sent a clear message that Congress must change, and House Republicans have already begun working to implement important reforms when the new Congress convenes in January. I was honored to be named a member of the House Majority Transition Team, which held a series of productive meetings last week to lay the groundwork for making the House of Representatives more transparent and accountable.
William F. Buckley defined conservatism as standing "athwart history, yelling 'Stop.'" In last week's midterm elections, it wasn't just conservatives but citizens of all political stripes, from across the nation, who went to the voting booth and yelled "Stop" to the Obama/Pelosi agenda.
This year's lame-duck session has the potential to be one of the most controversial in recent memory. Congressional Democrats have signaled their intention to hold votes on as many as 20 pieces of legislation in the period between this week's midterm elections and the January swearing-in of newly elected members of Congress. Their agenda includes several unpopular bills that the majority of Oklahomans oppose.