Columns
Each year, people travel to Washington, D.C. from all over the United States to demonstrate peacefully on behalf of the unborn as part of the March for Life. It warms my heart to see so many people - many of them young Nebraskans - braving the elements to remind our national leaders that we value life in its earliest form.
Our borders reflect the history, geography, and sovereignty of our nation. We monitor and defend them for a number of reasons, including the protection of American citizens from illegal drugs and individuals who would do us harm. The United States is a nation of laws, applied broadly and evenly, with no person outside their reach. If any of us break the law, we face consequences. Our society and legal system rely on these consequences to discourage widespread crime.
It's a new year and a new Congress. While I would have preferred to retain Republican control of the House for the 116th Congress, I believe there are many things we can accomplish in Washington to serve the best interests of the American people.
2018 has been a productive year. The economic benefits of tax reform are on display throughout the country with businesses expanding and jobs being created all around us. While there is much left to be done, I'd like to discuss a few of our proudest accomplishments from the past year.
As we prepare to join our families for Christmas, I am reminded of so many things we should be thankful for. This year will be our second Christmas with our young son, Zeke. Much of what I do in Washington is motivated by a desire to leave a healthy country for coming generations to inherit.
When I listen to former President Ronald Reagan's speeches, it is clear he was motivated by the same feelings. He always appealed for unity with a positive disposition, but he never shied away from directly addressing the American people.
Our nation's natural resources have no better friend than farmers and ranchers whose livelihood depends on them. From growing crops to raising livestock, their long term success is dependent upon sustainable practices. This is why President Obama's oppressive Clean Water Rule, also known as Waters of the United States (WOTUS), was unwelcome and even offensive to people throughout the Midwest.
This week, we said goodbye to former President George H. W. Bush after his death at age 94 at his home in Houston. At the time of his wife's death in April of this year, he and former First Lady Barbara Bush had been married for 73 years, which is the longest presidential marriage in history. President Bush will be remembered for many things, chief among them his governing during the collapse of the Soviet Union and his leadership during the Gulf War.
On Friday, President Trump, along with Mexican President Peña Nieto and Canadian Prime Minster Trudeau, signed the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA) at the G20 Summit in Buenos Aires, Argentina. The USMCA is the culmination of more than a year of negotiations between our three countries in order to update and build upon the success of NAFTA. I look forward to playing an active role in the review process as a member of the Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over trade agreements.
Each November, we celebrate National Family Week to reflect on the importance of strong families in our communities. Whether through biological child birth, adoption, or foster care, children need families to provide the care and support necessary to become healthy and productive adults. It has been a cornerstone of my tenure in office to support federal policies which encourage the development of strong families.
Thanksgiving is the time of year we come together with family and give thanks for our many blessings. This year I'm most thankful for our one-year-old son, Zeke, my wife, Andrea, and our endlessly loving family members who support us at every turn. I'm also thankful for renewed economic growth which increases opportunity for future generations of Americans.