Columns
Pausing to reflect on the heroic service of the servicemembers in our nation’s history is an important American tradition. Extending recognition for the immeasurable impact our veterans have made through selfless devotion and love for the United States is why we pause each Veterans Day.
In October, Creighton University’s nine-state Mid-American Economy Report showed the survey’s Business Confidence Index reached its lowest level since March 2020. This is a far cry from the promises of a thriving economy President Biden made as a candidate before taking office.
As American families continue to battle historic inflation at 8.2 percent, Nebraskans are feeling the pain every time they reach for their wallets. According to the Joint Economic Committee, households in Nebraska are spending an extra $759 each month, or more than $9,000 annually, because of inflation.
As Vladimir Putin’s barbaric invasion of Ukraine continues and China’s aggression towards Taiwan intensifies, we must take steps to ensure we have sound national security policy at home and abroad. Iran, which is undergoing turmoil over internal human rights protests, has contributed arms used in Russia’s recent attacks on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.
From rising inflation to spiraling energy prices to unaccountable schools and rising crime in many parts of our country, America is on the wrong track. That’s not just my opinion. According to the RealClearPolitics average on nine regular surveys of public opinion, more than two-thirds of Americans – 66.9 percent – feel this way.
According to a recent survey, 60 percent of Americans are living paycheck to paycheck, and 71 percent of workers feel their pay isn’t keeping up with the cost of living. The numbers bear this out – 6.2 percent wage growth alongside 8.3 percent inflation means that Americans’ paychecks are worth 2.1 percent less than they were at this time last year.
August’s Consumer Price Index shows inflation continues to rise. Prices for consumer goods have risen across the board – especially necessities like food and shelter.
The United States’ southern border has experienced 18 consecutive months of over 150,000 illegal border crossings each month. In fact, 3.5 million people have been apprehended at the border since President Biden took office, and Fiscal Year 2022 has seen the highest number of illegal border crossings in the history of our country.
This week I participated in a Ways and Means Committee hearing on the future of our trade relationship with Taiwan. The hearing explored opportunities provided by ongoing trade talks between the U.S. and Taiwan. In the midst of increased pressure from China through dialed-up military exercises and heavier tariffs, Taiwan is eager to strengthen ties with the U.S. and our democratic values.
A common refrain I hear from employers across Nebraska’s Third District is how difficult it has become to find workers to fill the job openings they have. As the unemployment rate rose to a six-month high of 3.7 percent in August, according to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the number of job openings in America sits at roughly 11 million. Job openings in the U.S.