Editorials
Prioritizing Entitlement Program Reform
As discussed in a recent column, addressing the debt crisis remains the most pressing issue our nation faces and my number one priority in the 113 th Congress. Along with comprehensive tax reform, strengthening budget controls and addressing the spending problem, stabilizing entitlement programs is a critical part of this effort. As mandatory programs makeup the majority of federal spending, debt solutions must address automatic federal spending. Most importantly, fiscal strains on mandatory… Continue Reading
January 21, 2013
Priority #1: Address The Debt Crisis
Addressing the debt crisis remains the most pressing issue our nation faces and my number one priority in the 113 th Congress. The debt crisis is much more than just the fiscal cliff or the debt ceiling. It threatens our economic wellbeing and national security. In the midst of this massive crisis are a number of critical opportunities-including opportunities to reform our badly broken tax code; stabilize entitlement programs; establish powerful budget controls; and address our spending prob… Continue Reading
January 14, 2013
Fiscal Cliff Averted But Work Far From Over
I agree with those who have characterized the recently passed legislation to avert the fiscal cliff as a missed opportunity to comprehensively address our nation's economic crisis. I voted for H.R. 8, the American Taxpayer Relief Act, because it made permanent the tax relief we have been fighting for throughout the past ten years, and it temporarily heads off an acceleration of the fiscal crisis that many economists forecast would have put our fragile economy back into recession. Making this t… Continue Reading
December 24, 2012
The Consequences of Inaction
Americans are once again facing the consequences of presidential and congressional inaction. If we fall off the fiscal cliff in the coming days, then every American taxpayer will face a tax increase. Here is a review of some of the most damaging potential tax increases. Income tax rates will increase to as high as 39.6 percent if the fiscal cliff is not addressed. The Tax Foundation analyzed how the fiscal cliff would affect typical families across the country and included Boise, Coeur d'Al… Continue Reading
December 17, 2012
Curbing Overspending
Senate procedure can be too cumbersome and detailed to adequately discuss concisely. However, given the recent use of a Senate budget point of order in the consideration of the Sportmen's Act, it is a good time to take a look at budget enforcement measures and the need to strengthen them. Tougher budget enforcement measures are one of the tools needed to reduce federal overspending. Our national debt has risen to more than $16 trillion, and $1.1 trillion in deficit spending has been added to… Continue Reading
December 10, 2012
Prioritizing Family
We all know families are important. Family routines and traditions, such as shared meals and holiday activities, can have positive effects on the development of our children and the direction of our lives. Unfortunately, busy schedules can cause important family time to get lost in the shuffle. As a husband, father and grandfather, I know how difficult it can be to squeeze enough time out of each day to get quality time with our loved ones, while also meeting work responsibilities. Studies… Continue Reading
December 03, 2012
Celebrating 33 Years Of Youth Achievement
Thirty-three years ago, Congress created the Congressional Award to recognize achievement, initiative and service in America's youth. Communities nationwide have benefited from the more than 3.5 million hours of public service provided by participants in the program. This year, fifty-two Idaho youth were honored for their contributions to our communities. The Idahoans are from twenty Idaho communities, including Athol, Boise, Caldwell, Coeur d'Alene, Eagle, East Port, Hailey, Hayden Lake, Hey… Continue Reading
November 26, 2012
Idahoans Voice Views On America's Fiscal Future
I recently held my fourth and final tele-townhall meeting of the year. These regular meetings areone of the many ways I learn from and get the insights of my fellow Idahoans. I value this guidance greatly. The primary purpose of the tele-townhall meeting held on November 14 was to discuss the nation's calamitous fiscal situation. I have been working with senators from both sides of the aisle to advance responsible solutions to address our growing debt crisis. Most immediately, the country f… Continue Reading
November 19, 2012
Thanking American Farmers
"Improving agricultural productivity has been the world's primary safeguard against a recurring Malthusian crisis--where the needs of a growing population outstrip the ability of man and resources to supply food. Over the past 50 years, global gross agricultural output has more than tripled in volume, and productivity growth in agriculture has enabled food to become more abundant and cheaper…If productivity growth slows, then more resources--land, labor, energy, fertilizers, and other input… Continue Reading
November 12, 2012
National Native American Heritage Month
Much of Idaho's history begins with Native American Tribes. The Coeur d'Alene, Kootenai, Nez Perce, Shoshone-Bannock and Shoshone-Paiute contribute to the richness of Idaho's history and are each important to its future. The U.S. Senate passed a resolution I co-sponsored that recognizes this November as National Native American Heritage Month and celebrates the heritages and cultures of Native Americans and their contribution to the United States. A provision in the resolution highlights som… Continue Reading
November 05, 2012
The Spirit Of Freedom
"I would have to say that every nurse that has ever been in a war has experienced the same thing. When you help a wounded man they always say, 'Thank you ma'am, you're an angel.' You never forget looking into the eyes of an 18-year-old kid that is mortally wounded and you know he's going to die and he knows he's going to die. And, more often than not, these kids would always say, 'Ma'am, could you help my buddy? He's on the stretcher ahead of me and he's hurt a lot worse than I am.'" Those … Continue Reading
October 29, 2012
Voting: A Right And Responsibility
Every Election Day, a colleague puts on a suit and takes his young sons to the polls with him to vote. Even though his sons may be too young to fully understand voting, he is instilling in them, at an early age, the importance of this precious right. Self-governance guides the course of our nation. Voting is not only a right, secured by the sacrifices of countless Americans, but also it is an individual responsibility to help shape our nation. With the passage of time, it is easy to forget … Continue Reading
October 22, 2012
Domestic Violence Awareness Month
According to statistics compiled by the Idaho Coalition Against Sexual & Domestic Violence, in 2011, the Idaho State Police reported 5,715 incidents of violence between spouses, ex-spouses and those in dating relationships. This equates to one reported violent incident nearly every 90 minutes. October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and I commend all those who are working to raise awareness of resources for victims and advance prevention. These efforts cannot diminish. We are makin… Continue Reading
October 15, 2012
Application Process Open For U.S. Military Academies
The privilege of nominating young Idahoans to United States military academies is one of our most enjoyable opportunities as U.S. Senators and Representatives. These young people are the future of our country, and we are always impressed with the Idahoans who apply. As authorized by law, each year elected officials have the honor of nominating deserving young women and men to the U.S. Air Force Academy, Colorado; the U.S. Military Academy, New York; the U.S. Naval Academy, Maryland; and the Me… Continue Reading
October 08, 2012
Practicing Regulatory Oversight
Job creation and economic growth require that Congress actively practice its oversight responsibilities, including reviewing regulations that affect small businesses and workers and curtailing redundant and overly-burdensome federal mandates. That is why I recently joined a bipartisan group of Senators in introducing legislation to clarify Congressional intent regarding the regulation of the use of pesticides in or near navigable waters. This issue is another example of overregulation that nee… Continue Reading
October 01, 2012
Outdoor Recreation: An Unsung Economic Driver
I grew up camping, hunting and fishing. I shared this heritage with my sons and daughters over the years and continue to enjoy it today. Idaho's many areas to participate in this tradition are some of the numerous reasons I love our state so much. As this hunting season kicks-off, I am reminded of the importance of hunting, fishing and other outdoor recreation opportunities to our communities. Recreational opportunities are helping support our economy. The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service rec… Continue Reading
September 24, 2012
Lessons From This Relentless Fire Season
This year, Idaho has had more than 600 fires on federal land. More than 100 of these fires have burned in excess of 100 acres. As we take stock of where we go from here, we must continue to work to ensure that we are prepared for the worst, equipped with the best methods to deal with catastrophic fires and trained for mitigating the consequences of fires. The impacts of the fires have been hard felt in Idaho communities. The tragic loss of Anne Veseth, a student from Moscow who was fighting… Continue Reading
September 17, 2012
They Continue To Leave Their Mark
The phrase, "Kilroy was here," with a cartoon, is engraved on two remote spots on the National World War II Memorial. This is found on the memorial because American troops during World War II used it to leave their mark in various places they served. Today, it remains a reminder of the permanent mark left by this generation of Americans who fought to secure our freedom and the freedom of millions of people across the world and then returned home to build America into the greatest country in th… Continue Reading
September 10, 2012
Our Constitution: Foundation For Freedoms
In a letter accompanying the Constitution, George Washington wrote about the challenges in developing our nation's Constitution. He wrote, "on the present occasion, the difficulty was increased by a difference among the several States as to their situation, extent, habits and particular interests…thus, the Constitution which we now present is the result of a spirit of amity, and of that mutual deference and concession, which the peculiarity of our political situation rendered indispensible…we h… Continue Reading
September 03, 2012
Long Overdue Honor
During a recent ceremony in Blackfoot, I was honored to present two Idaho veteranswith the Congressional Gold Medal for their distinguished service to our nation during World War II. The medals were long overdue for Kazuo Endow, of Blackfoot, and Agie Harada, of Shelley, who were unable to attend the presentation in Washington, D.C., last year where their fellow members of the 442 nd Regimental Combat Team collectively received the medal. Visiting with these two inspiring Idahoans was a r… Continue Reading
