Weekly Columns
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) released new guidance for how schools can reopen safely, making President Biden's stated goal of reopening all K-12 schools to five days a week by the end of April a reality. The science has been clear that schools are of low risk to spread Coronavirus, and studies have shown that there are serious consequences of virtual learning to children's mental, emotional, and academic well-being.
As we cross the one-year mark in fighting the global Coronavirus pandemic, we can see a light at the end of the tunnel. Thanks to the great work of Operation Warp Speed, we have multiple safe and effective vaccines available to the public. I encourage everyone to take the vaccine once it becomes available.
Last week, John Kerry, President Biden's climate czar, showed how out of touch he is with hard-working Americans. When asked about the inevitable job losses that will follow President Biden's Executive Order on energy production, he suggested that those working in fossil fuel industries today shouldn't feel badly about losing their jobs because they would simply have to learn to "make the solar panels." Shortly thereafter, a statement he made in 2019 while traveling to Iceland by private jet came to light.
Since the Supreme Court made Roe v. Wade the law of the land in 1973, more than 61 million babies have lost their lives through legal abortions. This atrocity has gone on long enough. Life is the most basic right of every man and woman created in the image of God and the first right guaranteed in our Declaration of Independence.
As the men and women of the Arkansas National Guard return to their homes, they can be proud of the incredible service they provided to our country. After the U.S. Capitol was attacked on January 6, 2021, 500 Arkansans answered the call to protect Washington, D.C., and the inauguration of President Biden and Vice President Harris.
As I reflect on the past few weeks, the word "division" continually comes to my mind. Every American can sense the profound, deep division that separates our country. Divisions can be felt not only in Washington D.C., but also in our communities and places where division should not be, such as among churches, friends, and family.
We hear division repeated in the news and splashed across headlines, and it is easy to become discouraged. We must work hard for civil discourse for the sake of our nation. We must win with resolve, better ideas, strong messages, and demonstrated results.
While members of Congress were peaceably and constitutionally debating the electoral votes on Jan. 6, rioters violently stormed the U.S. Capitol, resulting in death, destruction and a national disgrace. This is unacceptable, and I condemn these actions in the strongest terms.
I don't think any of us are sad to see 2020 in the past. Now that the COVID-19 vaccine has already been distributed to millions of Americans, we have hope for an exciting year ahead. I am eager to get back to Washington, D.C. and carry on important work that affects Arkansans and all Americans.
None of us could have foreseen what 2020 held. It's been a difficult year, filled with unexpected challenges. Yet through it all, I've been so impressed by the resilience of Arkansans and the ways we've come together and supported our communities. That is the beauty of America, and I believe it's why we have reasons to be grateful even after a hard few months.
In an incredible testament to American innovation and ingenuity, we now have a vaccine for COVID-19 that is headed to every state. President Trump and the administration's Operation Warp Speed backed our brightest scientists, and they developed, tested and produced a safe and effective vaccine in record time. It's encouraging to see some light at the end of a very long year.