Weekly Columns and Op-Eds
What would life in the Mid-Columbia be like if dams on the Columbia and Snake rivers were removed? What would then be used to control flooding that devastated communities before the dams were put in place? How would we provide clean, reliable hydropower for hundreds of thousands of homes and businesses? How would our region's farmers and agriculture industry replace lost access to water that is currently stored behind the dams? This worst-case scenario is not as far-fetched as we would hope, unfortunately.
Last week, the Trump administration released its proposal to modernize our nation's infrastructure, a blueprint that gives hope for federal support and a positive path forward on projects across the country that are stalled due to bureaucratic red tape. America must address its aging infrastructure and streamline the process for projects that are needed to meet growing demand for water, especially in the West.
The right to an individual's life, liberty, and private property underpins any free society. It is a well-established principle enshrined in the Constitution's 5th Amendment that under a limited government, no individual can be deprived of private property without just compensation. Back door methods of federal regulation, without titles or deeds ever changing hands, effectively result in the seizure or "taking" of private lands and violate of the spirit of law protecting private property.
Last Tuesday, I listened carefully as President Trump addressed the nation in his first State of the Union. The President's message aimed to unify Americans behind a common vision while sharing inspiring stories of service, heroism, and sacrifice.
On Friday, January 19th, hundreds of thousands of demonstrators joined together and walked along the National Mall in Washington, D.C. for the 45th annual March for Life. In full view of the Lincoln Memorial and the U.S. Capitol, and in the shadow of the Washington Monument, marchers raised their voices to show support for the cause of human life and dignity for every person, born or unborn.
As your representative in Congress, I take the responsibility to provide for the federal government's operations very seriously. Continuing Resolutions, or extensions of funding from previous fiscal years, are a terrible budgeting option for our country. This fiscal year, the House of Representatives passed all twelve of our bills necessary for the appropriations process, but the Senate has still not even passed a single one.
On Martin Luther King Day, we celebrate the contributions of the civil rights icon whose famous "I have a dream" speech reminded Americans that ours strives to be a nation where no one is judged by the color of our skin, but by the content of our character. Through Martin Luther King's work to realize the aims of America's Founding, he has become a worldwide symbol of peaceful protest against injustice.
In our nation's capital, there is a beautiful memorial of sculpted lions keeping watch that honors to the nation's law enforcement officers. Among the quotes set in the memorial's stone is one from Tacitus: "In valor there is hope."
2017 is now behind us; we are mid-way through the 115th Congress, and it is timely to take stock and focus on the progress made for Central Washington and the country during the past year.
For hard working families and entrepreneurs in Central Washington, keeping more of your own paycheck was my goal in supporting historic legislation approved by Congress, The Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. The last time the nation's federal tax system was overhauled was in 1986, under President Ronald Reagan. But with the leadership of President Trump and Republicans in the Senate and House, and with my support, we succeeded in pushing major tax reform for American families and businesses across the finish line.