Education

In 2014, President Obama famously said, “I’ve got a pen and I’ve got a phone,” telling the American people he didn’t care whether Congress had provided legislative authority for his favored policies—he would go it alone whenever he felt like it. Ten years later, Obama’s then-Vice President, now-President Joe Biden has been ruling in the same fashion daily.

This week is National FFA Week, our annual opportunity to commemorate the important role this organization plays in building future leaders for rural America. As we celebrate, it’s encouraging to see an increasing number of young people taking advantage of career and character-building opportunities. Across the nation, FFA participation levels are up 11 percent from last year.

Investing in the growth of a child as a parent, teacher, or mentor, and then seeing the child flourish to their fullest potential is both rewarding and inspiring. In schools and homes across the Third District, Nebraskans work tirelessly to create opportunities for students to learn and thrive.

As households across our nation gather to celebrate our many blessings and feast on the fruits of our hardworking farmers and ranchers, I am struck by the debt of thanks we owe as Americans.

This week, the House was set to continue its work on the twelve annual appropriations bills to ensure the government is responsibly funded. Unfortunately, our legislative work to cut wasteful spending was disrupted when a small handful of Republicans voted with Democrats to remove the Speaker of the House.