Closing the digital divide is a challenge for American society in the 21st century that must be met. Internet connectivity brings with it economic growth, educational opportunities, individual quality of life, and many other assets, but rural areas lag behind urban ones in access to reliable internet service. Making the American dream available to all citizens requires building out internet infras... Read more »
On January 20, Joe Biden will be sworn in as president of the United States. I will attend his inauguration, which I consider one of my duties as a Member of Congress. I also consider it my duty to conduct rigorous oversight of any Administration to ensure it upholds the Constitution and carries out the laws we enact. Earlier this year, I was sworn in for a new term. I am honored to represent you ... Read more »
The year 2020 was a difficult one, but as the year draws to a close, I want to highlight something about the year that went right. Operation Warp Speed accomplished what had been considered nearly impossible: the development, manufacture, and distribution of a safe and effective vaccine to combat COVID-19. President Trump announced Operation Warp Speed in May. His Administration recognized that me... Read more »
Christmas is a time of tradition, for families, communities, and throughout our society. For those of us who celebrate, like me, we each have our favorite customs about this season, whether attending a family gathering or town parade or just hearing a favorite Christmas carol. How those traditions become things we return to year after year make for interesting stories on their own. One story caugh... Read more »
Candy Apples and Toads An analogy I like to use for the legislative process invokes candy apples and toads. Legislation rarely includes only things I like – the candy apples – or omits the things I really dislike – the toads. Considering whether to support a bill usually means weighing whether there are enough candy apples to cover up the bad taste of a few toads. End-of-year legislating usually p... Read more »
Setting an agenda means setting priorities. Based on the agenda of the U.S. House of Representatives, apparently marijuana is a priority of Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-CA). It must be so, because on December 4 she used some of the little legislative time remaining in this Congress to bring up H.R. 3884, the Marijuana Opportunity Reinvestment and Expungement Act of 2019. H.R. 3884 not only decriminaliz... Read more »
On Thanksgiving and throughout the holiday season that follows, we count our blessings. As we do so, it is also important to remember those who may be less fortunate, both in our neighborhoods and around the world. At a recent meeting of a bipartisan, nondenominational prayer breakfast that convenes when the House of Representatives is in session, David Beasley gave the featured remarks. Formerly ... Read more »
The process for electing a president of the United States continues to play out according to the Constitution. It includes several steps, none of which involve media organizations calling the race or projecting winners. Instead, states count the votes for the purposes of choosing electors to vote in the Electoral College, and the Electoral College’s tally must be certified by Congress. In many pre... Read more »
November 11 is Veterans Day. Each year, Americans take this day to honor the men and women who have served in defense of our liberties in the United States Armed Forces. It began as Armistice Day, commemorating the end of World War I at the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month in 1918. Now veterans of all conflicts in which our country has been engaged are recognized on November... Read more »
The nineteenth century British statesman Lord Palmerston once defended his foreign policy by declaring, “We have no eternal allies, and we have no perpetual enemies. Our interests are eternal and perpetual, and those interests it is our duty to follow.” His words should be heeded today. When the policies of the past no longer align with the realities of today, they must be reevaluated. Certainly, ... Read more »
