Columns
Just two weeks from the start of tax filing season, an efficient and functioning Internal Revenue Service (IRS) has never been more important. The overwhelming majority of Americans pay their taxes; however, 90 percent of the $80 billion in new IRS funding in the Inflation Act would pave the way for more audits on working class families.
This week, we officially gaveled in the 118th Congress. With Kevin McCarthy as Speaker of the House, I know House Republicans will deliver on our Commitment to America to restore a government that’s accountable, a nation that’s safe, an economy that’s strong, and a future that’s free.
As I reflect on the last year and anticipate enjoying time with loved ones during the holidays, I’m filled with both gratitude and resolve.
As Americans, we have been granted an unrivaled heritage of freedom and prosperity which we now must secure for future generations.
Christmas is going to look different for many Americans because of ongoing supply chain challenges and soaring inflation. We have seen shortages of items such as appliances, jewelry, electronics, holiday food items such as turkey, and even Christmas lights and trees. Faced with a serious hike in input costs, more than 70 percent of wholesale Christmas tree growers have been forced to increase their prices by up to 15 percent over last year.
Nearly two weeks prior to the first day of winter, we have already seen snow, ice, and freezing conditions across the Third District. While precipitation is needed to relieve Nebraska’s fourth driest year on record, and the snowfall may have many dreaming of a white Christmas, colder than average temperatures are expected to accompany already historically high energy costs this winter.
A month from now, we will welcome a new year and a new Congress with a new majority. For the 118th Congress House Republicans have put forward our Commitment to America agenda. In the new Republican Majority, we will work to rein in reckless government spending, strengthen and make permanent the tax relief included in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA), maximize take-home pay for all Americans, and build an economy that’s strong.
As many of you know, this harvest season has been a tough one for Third District farmers. Arid conditions across Nebraska contributed to an expedited harvest completion and severely diminished yields. Ongoing drought has taken its toll, and yields for crops such as corn, soybeans, sugar beets, and sorghum are expected to be down significantly from last year. As consumers face record inflation at the grocery store and we’re seeing global food insecurity, we must do what we can to reduce barriers, not add them, for Nebraska farmers to feed and fuel America and the world.
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. We can never fully repay those who have put their lives on the line for freedom in America and around the world, but we can work to ensure those who have served and sacrificed have access to the care and benefits they have earned.
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. Recent polling by the Economist and YouGov reveals 66 percent of Americans believe the country has become more politically divided since then, and 63 percent of Americans foresee the divisions getting worse in the next few years.
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.