Columns

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 a lawmaker, my mission is to support this work by maximizing the opportunities available to each and every student.

This week, thousands came to Washington to participate in the 51st annual March for Life and celebrate Sanctity of Human Life Day. Sanctity of Human Life Day was first recognized in 1984 by President Reagan, marking the 11th anniversary of the Supreme Court’s Roe v Wade decision and commemorating the right to life for the unborn. When handed down in January of 1973, Roe v Wade assigned federal protection for abortion access to an arbitrary point in pregnancy and unjustly struck down state laws which protected unborn children.

As recent events have demonstrated, the readiness and modernization of the United States’ defense capabilities are as important as ever. Keeping Americans safe and prioritizing American interests must always be a leading goal. Our open borders – paired with ongoing global unrest – not only threaten national security for the United States and our allies, they have serious implications for economic security around the world.

In life and legislative work, a new year brings new opportunities and new undertakings. As we enter 2024 and the second session of the 118th United States Congress, there is much work to do, and I’m optimistic we can achieve results for the American people. Commonsense policies promoting economic growth and productivity in our communities can benefit our country as a whole. With no shortage of obstacles to overcome to curb wasteful spending, deliver tax relief, and manage federal programs, it is time to get to work for the American people.

2023 has been a year with its full share of joys, challenges, demands, and rewarding experiences. Taking time to hold kith and kin close during a special time to reflect and celebrate makes this time of year unique and cherished. The blessings we have as Americans mean so much more when we’re able to enjoy them with those we love.

This year, as I do each year, I am sharing an address from President Ronald Reagan. Many years later, his message continues to shed light on the meaning of the holiday season and the gift of Christmas.

This week in the House, I supported a resolution empowering a full inquiry into President Biden’s interactions with his family’s foreign business dealings. Records obtained by the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability reveal the Biden family and their business associates have received over $20 million in payments from entities in foreign countries including Russia, China, and Ukraine dating back to 2013.

This week, House Republicans took action to push back on proposals by President Biden’s Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) effectively forcing consumers to drive only electric vehicles (EVs) by 2032. The EPA’s out-of-touch policies are unworkable for the Third District because of our winter weather and expansive driving distances. Furthermore, China, which holds 78 percent of the world’s EV battery cell manufacturing capacity, recently implemented export controls on raw EV battery materials.

Serving on the House Committee on Ways and Means, my work covers a wide range of policy issues. The longest-running committee in Congress, Ways and Means derives its authority over all tax, revenue, and trade matters directly from Article I, Sections VII and VIII of the Constitution, which place jurisdiction for the origin of revenue-raising bills in the House of Representatives and the “Power To lay and collect Taxes, Duties, Imposts and Excises” before the federal legislative branch.