E-Newsletters
Our Second Amendment states that "A well-regulated Militia being necessary to the security of a free state, the right of the people to keep and bear arms shall not be infringed." In 1789, this and the other original amendments were drafted by James Madison. Known as the Bill of Rights, they were ratified 1791 and still hold true today.
Every day that the threat posed by Islamic militants goes unchecked, the world becomes a more dangerous place. It is imperative that we use every tool at our disposal to protect our people, defend the homeland, and preserve our interests abroad.
As your representative, job creation and affordable energy have always been my top priorities. The Keystone XL pipeline advances both of these. It is a vital part of an all-of-the-above energy strategy and will create thousands of good-paying American jobs. This week, Congress sent bipartisan legislation that approves the pipeline to the President's desk for his signature.
Americans are fed up with the wasteful spending in Washington and they once again made that very clear this past November. Families across north Missouri and America routinely sit down at the kitchen table to set priorities for their spending and make the difficult decisions necessary in order to balance their budgets – Washington should do the same.
"I just see a huge train wreck coming down." These are the words of former Democrat Senator Max Baucus, the lead author of Obamacare in the Senate, voicing his concerns over the implementation of the law nearly two years ago. I agree with him – the implementation has been a "train wreck." However, the problems we face are not just with the implementation.
Ahead of last November's election, President Obama stated that "these [Obama's] policies are on the ballot. Every single one of them." On this, I agree with him. His policies were on the ballot, and millions of men and women throughout the country went to their polling places to pull the lever in opposition to bigger government, more spending, and unconstitutional executive orders.
The American people spoke loud and clear this past November in opposition to President Obama's executive amnesty. By refusing to enforce our nation's immigration laws, President Obama is not only ignoring the will of the American people, but our constitutional process as well.
The American people sent a clear message this past November of what they expect from Washington – common sense solutions to address our nation's problems.
Ronald Reagan said that government's approach to business could be summed up in a few short phrases. "If it moves, tax it. If it keeps moving, regulate it. And if it stops moving, subsidize it." Unfortunately, some things never change.
"For last year's words belong to last year's language. And next year's words await another voice. And to make an end is to make a beginning." - T.S. Eliot.
As we turn the page on 2014 and look ahead to 2015, I am hopeful that we can do so with a renewed sense of optimism and purpose.