Christmas Stories
You know Dasher and Dancer and Prancer and Vixen
Comet and Cupid and Donner and Blitzen
But do you recall the most famous reindeer of all?
And you likely know what holiday song begins with those lines. The story of “Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer,” both as a song and as a television special, has been a staple of the Christmas season for generations. The story of how… Read more »
Tax Reform: Good for Families, Good for Jobs
In a country whose war for independence was to some degree a tax revolt, taxes can be a touchy subject. A lot of complicated questions are involved. How do we encourage economic growth? How do we raise revenue to pay for spending? What is a fair tax rate? Answering these questions means setting priorities and balancing them.
My priorities… Read more »
Internet Freedom
The recent stir about the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) repeal of “net neutrality” reminds me of The Wizard of Oz, when Dorothy and friends worry about what lies in the enchanted forest. Rather than lions and tigers and bears, however, “net neutrality” supporters incant about the threat posed by “Google and Facebook and Twitter, oh my!”
The Internet is… Read more »
Jerusalem
Disclaimer: This column deals with a Middle Eastern issue. It is dangerous to make any attempt to explain the Middle East in less than four volumes, but on the issue of our embassy in Jerusalem, I will attempt to nonetheless.
The city of Jerusalem holds a place of special importance in the story of civilization, and on December 6, President Trump acknowledged its unique… Read more »
Do Democrats Want a Shutdown?
The American people elected Congress to do a job. The job’s requirements are no surprise, as Article I of the United States Constitution spelled them out 230 years. Among these duties, Congress is charged with the power of the purse. Deciding how to exercise that power isn’t easy, but then, an old adage tells us “Politics ain’t bean-bag.” The process of… Read more »
No Surprise Here – Green Climate Fund is a Boondoggle
Sometimes problems catch you by surprise, and sometimes they can be anticipated well in advance. Recent setbacks for the global climate agenda fall into the latter category.
Earlier this month, I alerted you that global carbon emissions continue to rise worldwide due to increased pollution from China, India, and other emerging… Read more »
A Song of Thanksgiving
This week, people across the Ninth District and the country will sit down to celebrate Thanksgiving, the oldest uniquely American holiday.
Thanksgiving was an established tradition well before the United States came into being. While most Americans are taught that Plymouth Colony’s harvest festival with local Native Americans in the fall of 1621 was the first… Read more »
A Dereliction of Duty
It is said that Abraham Lincoln once remarked in exasperation at the inaction of Federal General George McClellan, “If General McClellan isn’t going to use his army, I’d like to borrow it for a time.” My colleagues in the House of Representatives and I understand the sentiment. The United States Senate has legislative powers vested in it by Article I of the… Read more »
Tax Reform Update
The House Ways and Means Committee recently released its bill to reform the tax code and started to mark up the bill on November 6. During the markup, the committee debates this legislation and considers amendments offered by any member of the committee. The whole House is expected to vote on the bill before Thanksgiving.
The present tax code imposes too high a burden… Read more »
Lessons from the Storms
The 2017 hurricane season has been the most active and destructive to the United States in a number of years. From Puerto Rico to Texas, storms have caused devastation, some of which lingers long after the hurricanes have dissipated. The challenge of rebuilding is daunting.
As part of the rebuilding process, we should learn how to better prepare for similar… Read more »
