Weekly Columns and Op-Eds
Within one week of the terrorist attack in Orlando that took the lives of 49 innocent people, there has been a concerted effort to change the subject from radical Islamist terrorism, and the threat of ISIS here at home, to restricting Americans’ constitutional liberties. Proposals to limit Americans’ due process and Second Amendment rights will do nothing to prevent future acts of terror, but such policies would violate the rule of law and our values enshrined in our Constitution. The bottom line is that no terrorist should be allowed to purchase or own a firearm.
Ask someone to recite our national motto, and you might just get a couple different responses. Such has been the confusion about our national motto, that in a speech President Obama delivered in 2010, the President even said, “In the United States, our motto is E pluribus unum — out of many, one.” Actually, “E pluribus unum” is the phrase on the official Seal of the United States. In fact, our official national motto has been “In God We Trust” for decades. This July will mark the 60th anniversary of its official adoption, but sadly the motto is now being challenged in federal court.
To face a threat, we must begin by calling it exactly what it is. Our nation has once again been attacked by radical Islamists. Early Sunday, Americans woke up to the horror that 49 innocent individuals had been killed and dozens wounded in an insidious terrorist attack on a “soft target,” an Orlando nightclub. The attack in Orlando was an attack on all Americans. We mourn the victims, and we cannot comprehend the pain that their families and loved ones are now facing. They will need our prayers in the days ahead.
From our founding to the present, American history is filled with reminders of the sacrifices of patriots, who took up arms when the call went out to defend their country and the principles that we hold dear. We just observed Memorial Day, when we recognize the high price paid by more than one million men and women in the Armed Forces. This week, we commemorate the 72nd anniversary of the Allied invasion of Normandy. We are reminded that when the call comes for the common defense, the men and women of our Armed Forces continue to fulfill their duty with bravery.
As we observe Memorial Day this May 30th, I hope that we each take a moment to reflect on the high cost paid for the freedoms we enjoy by the men and women in our Armed Forces. Throughout our history, more than one million Americans have given their lives defending our liberty. This Memorial Day will be the 148th in our nation’s history, and rather than simply marking the beginning of summer, as Americans we should take the opportunity to honor those who have given their all.
*The following column is adapted from Congressman Newhouse’s remarks for the Law Enforcement Memorial Service in the Tri-Cities on May 21st.
In Washington, more than 280 officers have lost their lives in the line of duty. When we reflect on these officers we should remember the scripture that, “Blessed are the peacemakers.” Those officers gave their all for a very high and noble cause: that of peace in their communities.
Our nation is facing a national epidemic. While many may know that substance abuse is a major crisis in our country, few may understand the exact scope. Drug abuse devastates communities, tears apart families and destroys lives. Tragically, 47,000 Americans now lose their lives each year due to drug overdoses—a total that is higher than the fatalities in car accidents, which were formerly the number one cause of accidental deaths.
Religious freedom is at the very core of our constitutional republic. It is one of the primary reasons that brave men and women of faith crossed the ocean to found our country. Last Thursday, May 5, we marked the National Day of Prayer, acknowledging that prayer has been a critical part of the fabric of American history.
The way Americans use technology to communicate has changed at an incredible pace since 1986. Thirty years ago, cellphones were gigantic, brick-like novelties. Few homes had personal computers. The term “social media” did not even exist. The Internet had existed for only a few years and was unknown to most Americans.
Last week, I was joined by 144 of my colleagues in the U.S. House of Representatives—one third of the entire House—to demand the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) cooperation with congressional and Inspector General investigations into a very serious matter. The issue under investigation is the grant funding that the EPA provided to promote an anti-farmer, anti-rancher advocacy campaign in Washington. Farmers and ranchers are the original conservationists because their livelihoods depend on taking care of the land, air, and water.