Next week, your 117th United States Congress will convene for the first time. After the election of Speaker and the adoption of the Rules of Congress, the action will quickly move to reading aloud the electoral votes submitted by each state from this past November's election - counting them, and declaring the vote tally for President and Vice President. During that process, the question will be put before your elected officials - does anyone object to the certification of electoral votes of a state. We will object. Our hope is that others will join us.

We don't take this decision...

Growing up in Tarkio, Missouri, several miles down the road from the Missouri River, I learned firsthand the power of the river and what can happen when our priorities aren’t in line. 

It’s not just the Missouri River though. Folks across North Missouri, who live along the Mississippi and countless smaller rivers, have spent decades working to bring certainty and safety to the families who live and work along our waterways. In many ways, we did just that, but with change, came complacency, a false sense of security, and a whole new list of “priorities” that...

Suggesting we have much to be thankful for this year might sound a bit disingenuous, at first. After all, 2020 has been a year unlike many of us have ever seen. In many cases, it’s been a year of loss. Loved ones, jobs, milestones, school years…let’s be honest, many are just looking towards 2021 and hoping it gets here sooner rather than later. Yet, this pandemic has made it clear that we also have many things to be thankful for. 

I’m thankful for our healthcare workers, who are currently putting in the longest hours they ever have to get folks healthy again....

The United States continues to be the beacon of freedom in the world.  The only reason that remains the case 244 years after its founding is because of the continued sacrifices of our veterans in service to our country. Every year, we take time to celebrate our veterans, and rightfully so.

Serving our country is a great sacrifice. Whether it’s time away from family and friends, not being present for milestones, mental health—the list goes on. For many who have served, it has meant the ultimate sacrifice—laying one’s life down in service to our country. 

We could...