Editorials
Weekly Column: Memorial Day--Military Widow's Tax Elimination
One of the ways we can honor fallen heroes beyond Memorial Day is by making certain that the benefits they more than paid for to ensure the wellbeing of their families after their death are fulfilled. I co-led the introduction of the Military Widow's Tax Elimination Act that will correct an unfair application of federal regulations that strips surviving family members of annuities they already purchased. A bipartisan majority of 58 senators have co-sponsored this legislation. It is past time … Continue Reading
May 20, 2019
Weekly Column: May--National Foster Care Month
On May 10, 1988, President Ronald Reagan issued a proclamation to observe the first National Foster Care Month. The proclamation followed the Senate's passage of a resolution establishing this designation. This May is once again National Foster Care Month, an opportunity to acknowledge the importance of foster care in providing opportunities to succeed for thousands of American children. In that first National Foster Care Month Proclamation, President Reagan recognized, "The family has t… Continue Reading
May 13, 2019
Weekly Column: A New Era For Nuclear Energy
A new chapter in U.S. nuclear energy started with the enactment of two pieces of legislation that further nuclear innovation-S. 97, the Nuclear Energy Innovation Capabilities Act (NEICA) and S. 512, the Nuclear Energy Innovation and Modernization Act (NEIMA). These laws help ensure the research conducted at Idaho National Laboratory (INL) continues to contribute to our diverse domestic energy resources and keeps our nation at the forefront of nuclear innovation. Empowering the long-term develo… Continue Reading
May 06, 2019
Weekly Column: Progress In Restricting Unjust IRS Asset Seizures
The federal government should meet a high threshold of proving illegal activity when seizing personal property in a criminal investigation. The Internal Revenue Service (IRS) should not be given cart blanche to take an American's-hard-earned and legally-earned money-and then require the accused to prove the IRS should not have taken it in order to get it back. Unfortunately, there have been reports over the years of the IRS seizing the bank accounts of small businesses making cash deposits of … Continue Reading
April 29, 2019
Weekly Column: Taking Action For Crime Victims
National Crime Victims Week is recognized each April to raise public awareness about the rights and concerns of victims and survivors of crime in the United States. This national recognition provides opportunities to honor crime victims, survivors and those who provide help in the aftermath of a crime. It also provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress made and take stock of additional steps needed to make certain effective and timely responses are in place to help with recovery and ex… Continue Reading
April 22, 2019
Weekly Column: Earth Day--Bipartisan Conservation Success
At the end of last year, both the U.S. Senate and U.S. House of Representatives passed by overwhelmingly bipartisan votes one of the largest, if not the largest, environmental bills. President Trump then signed this bipartisan bill into law. The environmental bill I am referring to is the new Farm Bill. Beyond establishing national agricultural policy, the Farm Bill authorizes conservation programs that provide voluntary, incentive-based tools for landowners to implement conservation practice… Continue Reading
April 15, 2019
Weekly Column: Tax Day Reflections On Tax Refom Benefits
This tax filing season is a reminder of the benefits of the 2017 tax reform law already being realized and the long-term positive effects taking shape. These gains include an average 3.1 percent growth in our economy, the creation of more than 2.6 million jobs and a 3.4 percent increase in wages in the last year alone. The considerable progress being made is worth consideration as Americans file taxes this year. Fortunately, there is now a growing understanding that tax refunds are not a goo… Continue Reading
April 08, 2019
Weekly Column: Bipartisan Legislation To Protect Fish Habitat
Sport fishing is culturally and economically important to families and communities all across Idaho. According to the most recent data available from the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service's 2016 National Survey of Fishing, Hunting, and Wildlife-Associated Recreation, more than 35 million Americans participated in fish-related activities. These recreationists spent over $46 billion pursuing these activities, contributing to millions of jobs in industries and businesses that support fish-related … Continue Reading
April 01, 2019
Weekly Column: Indispensable Guidance Of Idahoans
Idaho families struggling with debilitating diseases, such as heart disease, cancer, diabetes, or less common and rare illnesses, regularly share their heartbreaking, but also inspiring, personal experiences with me. These insights drive my longtime advocacy for necessary National Institute of Health funding to support medical research to save and improve lives. Each year, I join fellow senators in urging congressional appropriators to fully fund this critical research. This is one example of… Continue Reading
March 25, 2019
Weekly Column: Romance Scams Number One In Losses
In the past, I have written about tax season scams to try to help raise awareness so that Americans do not fall victim to fraud that robs people of their hard-earned money. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) recently alerted the public to romance scams that the commission reports has resulted in more financial losses than any other form of consumer fraud. The FTC reported that there has been a major increase in reports of romance scams from 8,500 reports and losses of $33 million in 2015 to 21… Continue Reading
March 18, 2019
Weekly Column: Lands Bill Furthers Success Of Owyhee Collaborative
The Senate and House of Representatives both passed S.47, Natural Resources Management Act, by overwhelmingly, bipartisan votes, and President Trump signed it into law. This new law contains boundary changes for three wilderness areas in Owyhee County. These changes are important to the ongoing implementation of the hard-sought Owyhee Initiative (OI), which provides for the sustainability of this special part of our great state. It also helps ensure the long-term success of this outstanding e… Continue Reading
March 11, 2019
Weekly Column: Celebrating Women Leaders Of Idaho
Idaho has been home to women pioneers, educators, civic leaders, elected officials, physicians, attorneys, businesswomen, writers, artists, innovators and more. The courage and skills of Idaho women are among our state's enduring strengths. Women shape the history and future of our great state and nation. In recognition of March as Women's History Month, here are some examples of the many women who enrich Idaho's heritage: Sacagawea was born in 1788 in what is now Idaho. She served as a … Continue Reading
March 04, 2019
Weekly Column: Recognizing Local Innovation
In 2017 alone, 1,432 patent applications were filed by residents of Idaho, and 752 patents were issued to Idahoans, according to the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). USPTO reports that nearly the same amount of patents (744) were issued to Idaho residents in 2018. Considering the innovative products and services already coming out of Idaho, it is no surprise that Idahoans continue to be brimming with ideas to make lives easier and better our communities and world. In recent… Continue Reading
February 22, 2019
Weekly Column: Priorities For The 116th Congress
As the 116th Congress has begun, work continues to build on the progress made in the last Congress in restoring prosperity, stability and liberty for our country. As a result of our comprehensive reform of the tax code, we are seeing robust growth in our economy, at rates well above what had been projected if we had not reformed the tax code. This increased economic activity, and resulting increased revenue generation, has helped to create a better foundation from which to enact long-overdue … Continue Reading
February 18, 2019
Committee Assignments Set: We Have Idaho Covered
Congressional committees are central to the legislative process. Committees provide oversight of federal governmental operations and identify issues suitable for legislative review. A committee can dig into the details of issues under its jurisdiction and advance legislation to be considered by the full U.S. Senate or House of Representatives. At the beginning of each Congress, committee assignments are determined. The breadth of our committee assignments for the 116th Congress, which have n… Continue Reading
February 11, 2019
Weekly Column: Planning Now For Spring Washington, D.C., Visit
Washington, D.C., is a popular tourist destination at all times of year, but March through June are especially busy times for tours. People from all over the world visit our capital in the spring to see the cherry blossoms that frame the Tidal Basin in a cloud of light pink. The National Park Service explains there are more than 2,500 Yoshino cherry trees along the Tidal Basin and other parts of the city. If you are planning to travel to Washington, D.C., this spring, now is a good time to st… Continue Reading
February 04, 2019
Weekly Column: Enactment Of The New Farm Bill
On December 11, 2018, with my support, the U.S. Senate passed the final version of the new Farm Bill by an overwhelmingly, bipartisan vote of 87-13. The U.S. House of Representatives passed the legislation the next day also by a broad, bipartisan vote of 369-47 before it went to President Trump to sign into law. Enactment of the new Farm Bill provides certainty agriculture producers in Idaho and across the nation need as they continue to face a challenging farm economy while ensuring the conti… Continue Reading
January 28, 2019
Weekly Column: Respecting Privacy And Safeguarding Data
The collection, protection and use of personally identifiable information by both the government and private companies deserves close scrutiny. Americans are rightly concerned about the collection and use of their data, and how such data is secured and protected. So concerned, in fact, that in January 2014, Congress adopted a resolution expressing support for the designation of January 28 as "National Data Privacy Day." This is an international effort held annually to create awareness about t… Continue Reading
January 21, 2019
Weekly Column: Laws Enacted To Combat Human Trafficking
The Administration reports that there are nearly 25 million victims of human trafficking worldwide, and more than 8,500 human trafficking cases were reported to the National Human Trafficking Hotline here in the U.S. last year alone. Congress passed and President Trump signed four pieces of legislation recently to help end this horrible crime. As a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, I co-sponsored two bills under the jurisdiction of the committee to help combat human trafficking. In D… Continue Reading
January 14, 2019
Weekly Column: Reflections On Success, Achievements At Banking Committee
Committees are essential to the legislative process. I am privileged to serve on committees that encourage pro-growth economic policies and prioritize constitutional principles. Beginning in 2017, I had the honor to begin serving as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs, a post that I will continue to hold in the 116th Congress. In the 115th Congress, we ushered dozens of bills through the committee and into law, exercised important oversight of the financial … Continue Reading
