Weekly Columns and Op-Eds

As Washingtonians, all we have to do to enjoy some of the most beautiful natural scenery anywhere is to look out the window or take a short drive to one of our spectacular National Parks or Forests. We treasure our access to public lands, but we also demand accountability and transparency for the way those lands are managed. We keep in mind the legacy of President Theodore Roosevelt, who once said, "The nation behaves well if it treats the natural resources as assets which it must turn over to the next generation increased and not impaired in value.

There are times when one generation of Americans may look at the next generation and focus on how different the fashions and manners seem from when we were younger. We may wonder about whether the values of respect, patriotism, service, and sacrifice are being instilled in our young people. People of all ages in Central Washington can take heart, however, because among us are outstanding examples that should give us hope that our future is in good hands.

America is not the norm. As citizens of one of the world's oldest constitutional republics, every American, myself included, sometimes needs reminding about the extent to which our freedoms and traditions are the exception rather than the rule in human history. The rule of law and constitutional limits on government power should not be taken for granted. The orderly transition of power from one presidential administration to the next is one of the fundamental principles that ensure stability for our system of self-government.

In the final weeks of the Obama administration, few actions have been as shocking as the decision to abandon our best ally in the Middle East, Israel. Israel not only shares our democratic values, but it is also a key U.S. ally in anti-terrorism efforts. The U.S. has traditionally exercised its veto power it has on the United Nations Security Council to prevent one-sided anti-Israel measures from being approved. The shameful abstention by the Obama administration in December's Security Council vote on Resolution 2334, which was blatantly anti-Israel, stabbed our friend in the back.

The great philosopher Bob Hope once said, "my idea of Christmas, whether old-fashioned or modern, is very simple: loving others. Come to think of it, why do we have to wait for Christmas to do that?" He has a point. This time of year, Christians celebrate the birth of our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ. He is the true ‘reason for the season,' as we say, and the Christmas season reminds us to serve our neighbors.

As the 114^th Congress comes to an end, it is worth looking back on my first term in Congress and highlight the important accomplishments and the change that Americans should expect before the 115^th Congress convenes next year.

Even as this year's legislative session comes to a close, the last bills passed by Congress are certainly not the least important. As the saying goes, "last but not least." Bipartisan legislation passed just last week tackles real problems, such as the mental health crisis and the need for improving medical research. I joined my colleagues in the House to approve the 21^st Century Cures Act, which includes the most significant bipartisan mental health reform in a decade, on a vote of 392-26.

Hundreds of local residents showed up last week in Pasco for a debate that many thought had long been settled. We again find ourselves making the case that proposals to breach the Columbia and lower Snake River dams would hurt our local community, and negative impacts would far outweigh any benefit. I attended the meeting in Pasco to add my voice in strong opposition to proposals to remove the four dams. I was one voice among many, seeing firsthand the passionate feelings on the matter.