Columns
This fall, the United States Supreme Court has been receiving quite a bit of attention. With ongoing litigation ranging from the Texas law limiting when abortions may be performed, to vaccine mandates, to second amendment rights, a spotlight is currently focused on the court.
For months President Biden and Congressional Democrats have single-mindedly focused on pushing their tax and spending agenda across the finish line. While my Republican colleagues and I have made progress in keeping some truly terrible ideas, like repealing stepped-up basis, out of the package so far, our work against these proposals continues.
It's alarming to see half-built, new farm equipment sitting idle, car dealerships vacant, and store shelves empty, but this is the harsh reality behind President Biden's current supply chain crisis. Across the country we are seeing bottlenecks and cargo backups at ports and terminals, as well as an abundance of workforce shortages causing massive delays throughout our supply chain.
Each year, open enrollment for Medicare begins on October 15th and runs through December 7th. This process occurs annually to safeguard continued competition on premiums and benefits among insurers; using the marketplace to drive down costs and improve consumer access.
Seeing young Nebraskans serving their communities, whether it is through scout troops, churches, community organizations, or just young Nebraskans coming together independently, is inspiring. It shows they understand opportunities to volunteer and serve their community do not have to wait until adulthood.
Last week while appearing at a hearing of the House Homeland Security Committee, President Biden's Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas claimed, "the border is secure." Anyone who has read a newspaper or watched a newscast could tell you it isn't, yet the Biden Administration insists it is. Enough is enough; they cannot ignore the border crisis.
This week the House of Representatives passed a bill which raised the debt limit and provided short-term funding for the government until December 3. The party-line vote now heads to the Senate without a bipartisan agreement in place to ensure passage. Meanwhile, Democrats in Washington are using arbitrary deadlines to ram through President Biden's spending agenda.
As Nebraskans know, I serve on the Ways and Means Committee in the House of Representatives. The Third District is both an economic powerhouse and one of the most rural districts in our country. I initially sought to join the committee to provide a voice for Nebraska on tax and trade issues which are critical to our rural communities.
On September 11, 2001, the United States of America was changed forever. The world watched and held its breath as terrorists attacked our nation. In New York City, Pennsylvania, and at the Pentagon, Americans lost their lives at the hands of ruthlessness. While we commemorate that terrible day annually, it is receiving special attention this year, on its twentieth anniversary.
Not long ago, I wrote about the unacceptable spending levels set by Democrats in appropriations bills, which annually fund the federal government. Now, just a few weeks later, the Democrats are moving forward with additional spending plans for fiscal year 2022 and beyond.