Weekly Columns
The events unfolding daily in Afghanistan are a tragedy that could have been avoided. Instead of swift, decisive action, our president ignored the warnings of an abrupt departure from Afghanistan resulting in the capital of Kabul being overrun by the Taliban, leaving the country again under the control of the terrorist group.
Only heroes are brave enough to pursue a career where they risk their lives every day for a stranger. So far this year, 155 police officers have died in the line of duty, protecting our fellow Americans. Yet, instead of working to support these brave men and women who fight to keep us safe, Democrats are continuing to push the defund the police movement and our country is witnessing the tragic effects.
The United States is a nation of freedom and democracy, but as we know not all countries offer those same freedoms. On July 11, 2021, after more than six decades of brutal dictatorship, the Cuban people bravely marched for their freedom and demanded an end to the disastrous communist regime that has failed Cuban citizens.
The most powerful thing about the achieving the American Dream is that it doesn’t have to begin in America. The United States is a nation of immigrants, who come to our country often with little more than a dream of a better life. But for the many who are crossing our border illegally, that dream has become a nightmare.
Just as citizens are beginning to return to pre-pandemic routines, Americans hoping to spend more time outside their home and make summer travel plans are realizing everything from gas, to groceries, to airfare and hotels have skyrocketed in price. Study after study has found that the Democrats’ budget proposals are negatively impacting wide swaths of our economy. This should be a time for Americans when optimism is met with opportunity. Instead, our country is facing serious economic headwinds.
Over the last year, many Americans and Oklahomans suffered during the coronavirus outbreak – from the loss of loved ones, businesses or employment, to spending months in lock down, away from family and friends. Fortunately, Operation Warp Speed helped deliver vaccines to Americans in record-time, resulting in some pre-pandemic normalcy. Yet, many questions remain unanswered about the origins of the virus, and China’s culpability or complacency in its spread.
One of the longest standing federal pro-life policies is again under fire in Congress. Since 1976, the Hyde Amendment, which prevents funding of abortions with taxpayer dollars, has passed through Congress with bipartisan support. Now, President Biden is seeking to remove the amendment from his Budget Request of the U.S. Government for Fiscal Year 2022.
Oklahoma is the crossroads of America, and as such, relies heavily on a strong, modern infrastructure. Over the last several decades, our nation’s infrastructure has fallen dangerously behind that of its closest economic competitors, including China. Congress now has a tremendous opportunity to make the nation more competitive in the 21st century by investing in its infrastructure, not just roads and bridges, but the electrical grid, broadband access, and more.