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U.S. National Debt:
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June 06, 2015
Repealing The Death Tax
Idahoans were on the hook for more than $26 million in estate taxes for 2013, according to U.S. Internal Revenue Service statistics. This is an average $1.6 million in... Continue Reading -
May 25, 2015
Getting It Right For Veterans
In March, I wrote about working with Idaho veterans to press for needed changes to the Veterans Choice Program to ensure that Idaho veterans can access the services they so... Continue Reading -
May 11, 2015
Youth Challenge Program
Organization-Maturity-Discipline-Motivation-These are qualities a graduate of the National Guard Youth Challenge Program credited the program with instilling in him. The... Continue Reading -
May 04, 2015
Advancing County Payments
Extending Secure Rural Schools and Self Determination Act (SRS) payments and fully funding Payments in Lieu of Taxes (PILT) is not a simple undertaking, especially considering... Continue Reading -
April 27, 2015
Ending Operation Choke Point
Last summer, news reports surfaced regarding a U.S. Department of Justice-led (DOJ) initiative that targets certain industries' ability to access banking services without... Continue Reading -
April 13, 2015
Planning Ahead
As a Boy Scout, I grew up with the motto of "Be Prepared." As an adult, this enduring phrase is all the more meaningful. Thinking through and developing plans for emergency... Continue Reading -
April 06, 2015
EPA Must Not Undercut Water Projects
The importance of having clean water cannot be overstated. The fact that we can turn on the tap in most places of our country and know that the water we drink will not make... Continue Reading -
March 30, 2015
Safeguarding Our Second Amendment Rights
Some lands and water managed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) are open for hunting, and there are a small number of authorized shooting ranges, but much of the... Continue Reading -
March 23, 2015
No More Shortchanging Seniors
I recently led a bipartisan group of 52 senators in calling on the Administration to refrain from making additional harmful cuts to the successful, market-based Medicare... Continue Reading -
March 16, 2015
Opportunity To Get It Right For Veterans
While living in a state as vast as Idaho has immeasurable benefits, veterans living in rural Idaho communities must travel great distances to access needed medical services. ... Continue Reading -
March 09, 2015
Stopping IRS Mistreatment of Small Businesses
At a recent House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Oversight hearing, a Maryland dairy farmer testified about Internal Revenue Service (IRS) agents seizing $62,000 from his... Continue Reading -
March 02, 2015
Working To Eliminate The Veterinarian Shortage
Food animal veterinarians are part of the first line of defense in ensuring food safety and public health, improving animal health and welfare and safeguarding our homeland... Continue Reading -
February 23, 2015
Checking Executive Powers
Congress' Constitutional oversight and authority is an integral part of the American system of checks and balances. More than ever, Congress has a responsibility to this... Continue Reading -
February 16, 2015
Increasing ESA Transparency
According to the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS), 22species have been listed in Idaho under the Endangered Species Act (ESA). There are 1,590ESA listings... Continue Reading -
February 09, 2015
Still Needed: Responsible Budgeting
The U.S. Congressional Budget Office's (CBO) annual Budget and Economic Outlook report shows that, absent action, the United States continues to remain on an unsustainable... Continue Reading -
February 02, 2015
Reining In Federal Regulation
Duplicative, often burdensome federal regulations imposed on the private sector continue to stifle economic growth and discourage innovation. An efficient and accountable... Continue Reading -
January 26, 2015
Keystone XL Pipeline Considerations
To say the Keystone XL pipeline project has been analyzed extensively is an understatement. Over the more than 7 years since TransCanada originally applied for a Presidential... Continue Reading -
January 19, 2015
Senate Environment Committee Priorities: Opportunities For Progress
As the 114 th Congress begins, I welcome the opportunity to serve again on the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee, because this committee focuses on... Continue Reading -
January 12, 2015
Pressing Ahead
Considerable work is required in the 114 th Congress to build the foundation for a competitive, national economy that encourages innovation and job growth. Improving our... Continue Reading -
January 05, 2015
From The Mailbag: Keystone XL Pipeline
As active participants in the decisions made in Congress, Idahoans contact me with valuable input about the issues our country faces. Realizing that many may not have the... Continue Reading