Columns

As a member of the Republican Jobs and the Economy Taskforce, I am committed to promoting America's economic recovery; however, concerns of a recession continue to mount due to President Biden's mismanagement of the economy. The June jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics shows the weakest overall job growth since April 2021. This comes at a time when 57 percent of Americans say the actions of the federal government have hurt their family over the last six months, according to a recent Monmouth University Poll.

As our nation celebrates Independence Day, the grocery bill for cookouts and picnics is hitting the budgets of American families harder this year. The American Farm Bureau Federation calculated U.S. consumers are paying 17 percent more for standard Fourth of July fixings than last year. Furthermore, soaring gas prices are limiting summer vacation plans and travel. It's not just holiday expenses: American families are feeling the pain caused by the Biden administration's failed policies every single day. Costs are up across the board.

As tensions rise as a result of Russia's occupation of Ukraine and China's military exercises in the waters and airspace around Taiwan, our very own homeland security is at risk of being overlooked. Alarming data from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) reveal CBP encountered a record 239,416 individuals attempting to enter our country illegally at our southern border during the month of May – an increase of 32 percent over CBP encounters in May 2021 and a staggering 930 percent over 2020.

The importance of a strong agriculture economy to the state of Nebraska and our entire nation cannot be overstated. Often overlooked in policy conversations, the products supplied by farmers and ranchers are fundamental to fueling our lives, filling our plates, putting shirts on our backs, and so much more. Yet, American ag producers currently face a bevy of historic crises which threaten their livelihoods and the long-term health of our economy.

Recent acts of senseless violence have reignited debate over the best way to protect our communities, and Americans are understandably outraged and concerned. The shootings at Robb Elementary in Uvalde, TX, at a supermarket in Buffalo, NY, and other devastating and unacceptable acts of violence across the country are heartbreaking. Americans should feel safe and secure, especially in schools and houses of worship. My heart breaks for the victims and their families and, as a father, I share their outrage.

Since 1948, Israel has been an important ally of the United States. Unfortunately, Israel has also endured a great deal of conflict with those who seek its destruction in the Middle East. Last weekend marked the 55th anniversary of Yom Yerushalayim, or Jersusalem Day, a celebration of the liberation of the city of Jerusalem from the forces of six of Israel's aggressing neighbors during the Six Day War in 1967.

Since entering into force on July 1, 2020, the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) has provided a powerful framework to fight for opportunity on behalf of American workers, producers, and industry, and has strengthened ties with our nation's top two trade partners. Spearheaded by the Trump administration as a much-needed modernization of the North America Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), USMCA won 474 "yea" votes across both chambers as it passed through Congress, the greatest level of bipartisan support for a trade agreement since 2001.

American families across the country are grappling with increasing costs and economic uncertainty. Last week, the Consumer Price Index confirmed costs of household items, energy, and services have risen by more than 8 percent, on average, over the last 12 months. Consumers are tightening their budgets, purchasing less, choosing generic groceries more, and often going without.