E-Newsletters
In 2008, then Presidential candidate Obama declared war on coal, stating that his regulations would "bankrupt the coal industry." As President, he did exactly as promised.
Excessive, burdensome regulations came pouring out of the Environmental Protection Agency and when it came to coal-fired power plants, the final blow was called the "Clean Power Plan."
Earlier this year, I became a grandfather for the first time. What a joy and blessing that has been. Holding my new grandson, just as I did my own kids several years ago, reminds me of what a precious gift life truly is.
Unfortunately, not all folks recognize the value of life, and that is why I'm taking every step I can to protect it.
As I travel North Missouri, I catch a glimpse of the American flag almost everywhere I go. It's not just at government buildings; it's prominently displayed at many homes, farms and businesses. It's a constant reminder that we live in the greatest country on earth.
America's tax code is now more than 2.4 million words long. To put that into perspective, the King James Bible is roughly 783,137 words or less than one third as long as our tax code.
When the House returns to Washington in September, we will begin the process of passing comprehensive tax reform.
It's easy to praise the work our military men and women do. We can talk about how grateful we are for those who defend our freedoms, or how we owe it to them to provide every resource possible in return for their sacrifices.
Thomas Jefferson is arguably the most important person in American history.
He executed one of our biggest ever land deals, he forged alliances with foreign powers that were critical to the survival of our union, and his philosophies on liberty and self-governance became central tenants of the U.S. Constitution.
On July 1, 2015, 32-year-old Kate Steinle was tragically shot and killed while the walking the streets of San Francisco with her father. The bullet came from a gun stolen by Juan Francisco Lopez-Sanchez, an immigrant who had re-entered this country illegally after being deported for committing a separate crime.
Rural hospitals are a literal lifeline for tens of millions of people across this country. In communities that don't have enough primary care doctors or health facilities, rural hospitals provide a critical, lifesaving service that otherwise would not be here for us.
We see it all the time when Washington tries to step in and solve all of our problems. Laws that are well-intentioned but poorly designed end up causing more harm than good, creating new problems and new things for Washington to "fix."
Memorial Day is a time to honor all of those who have given their lives in defense of this country. It reminds us how lucky we are to live free in a land of democracy and opportunity. It also reminds us that this freedom has come at an extraordinarily high cost.