Weekly Columns
For 45 years, Democrats and Republicans have come together to protect the consciences of Americans who believe that unborn children are human beings worthy of life. The Hyde Amendment, which was first introduced by Republican Congressman Henry Hyde in 1976, prevents federal tax dollars from being used to fund abortions within the Medicaid program.
If you ever doubt that members of Congress can work together across the political aisle for the betterment of their communities, look no further than an announcement last week from the Biden Administration's Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
This past week, I had the opportunity to meet with farmers who had been affected by last month's devastating floods, which caused an estimated $200 million to $250 million in damages to crops and property.
This Fourth of July, I find myself recalling the story of Nathan Hale, an American patriot during the American Revolution who, at the young age of 21-years-old, served his nation by spying on the British. Hale posed as a Dutch schoolmaster while gathering information, but was later captured while trying to return to the Americans and sentenced to be hanged.
For too long, those on the Left have pushed the false narrative that only they care about our environment, attempting to dominate the environmental policy conversation. This could not be further from the truth. Conservation is a core tenant of Conservatism. Republican President Teddy Roosevelt, widely considered the father of conservation, established the National Park System.
Freshman year of college is hard for any young person. A child leaves home, often for the first time, to face a brand new world of independence and new ideas. While college should be a challenging experience, it should also be an environment open to exploring new concepts and refining one's own perspectives.
Those with a life-threatening illness or condition know that time is of the essence. This week, I reintroduced a bipartisan bill to cut red tape so patients with terminal conditions may quickly access lifesaving treatments with positive clinical data.
In his 1967 Inaugural Address, then California Governor Ronald Reagan spoke about his vision for democracy. "Perhaps you and I have lived with this miracle too long to be properly appreciative. Freedom is a fragile thing and is never more than one generation away from extinction.
This year's Memorial Day will be special for many Americans as our nation begins to return to normal, with many joining in-person gatherings with family and friends for the first time in over a year. As we celebrate the holiday weekend with cookouts, sunshine, and good food, let's take a moment to count our many blessings because of the sacrifices of others.
For months we waited with bated breath as Operation Warp Speed spurred vaccine development and began distribution at a record pace. Now, with the vast majority of Congress members and staff fully vaccinated, Speaker of the House Nancy Pelosi still refuses to end the harmful practices of proxy voting and remote committee hearings and remains defiant on masks on the House floor.