Bringing Americans Together to Confront Our Challenges

When President Trump took office, historic inflation and a failure of leadership by the Biden administration had hammered American families and small businesses. Disastrous policies led to our agriculture producers losing ground in export markets, deadly fentanyl flooding across the border, and dangerous criminals and terrorists threatening our communities due to a lack of immigration enforcement. Threats from China, Russia, Iran, and other rogue nations were rising as American influence abroad waned.

This week, after 44 days in office, the president delivered his first joint address to Congress of his second term. In his speech, the president reiterated his commitment to meet the challenges facing our nation. He recounted the record number of actions his administration has already taken to increase government transparency, protect our communities, and empower Americans with opportunity. His invitation for all Americans to unite around our common values for the good of our nation was especially important for our current political moment.

There is much more to accomplish, but the impact of President Trump’s leadership is already clear. For example, according to data from U.S. Customs and Border Patrol, in February illegal border crossings dropped to the lowest level on record. Commonsense border action such as reinstating the Remain in Mexico policy and acknowledging the terror perpetrated by cartels on our southern border is demonstrating proper enforcement of our laws makes a marked difference.

President Trump was also right when he spoke about getting executive agencies back to serving the American people. In addition to bringing federal workers back into the office, the Department of Government Efficiency has already identified an estimated $105 billion in taxpayer savings. Here in Congress, my bill to hold the IRS accountable would refocus the agency toward upgrading customer service and technology systems by reclaiming the remainder of the $80 billion Democrats poured into the agency to target middle-class families and small businesses with audits.

The Trump action to eliminate burdensome Biden-era restrictions on energy production and a coordinated, all-of-the-above approach is clearing a path to energy abundance. Since this time last year, gas prices are down by more than 8 percent and diesel prices are down by 10 percent. Embracing the flexibility offered by biofuels is an essential component of this, and my bill to permanently eliminate barriers to year-round E15 would expand access to this sustainable energy source which saves consumers up to 30 cents per gallon.

In recent years, rural Americans and agriculture producers have been disproportionately harmed by price spikes in energy and other farm inputs. At the same time, agriculture and energy producers have lost ground in international markets due to trade complacency. By promptly putting an end to the Biden-Harris war on energy affordability, engaging with our trading partners, and championing domestic production of fuels and critical minerals in his joint address, President Trump has shown he is committed to delivering relief and combating inflation. We have a lot of work to do to ensure hardworking families and small businesses can make ends meet and manage potential market shocks, but having a partner in the White House who understands the urgency of our needs makes a tremendous difference.

Getting our country back on track demands we secure tax relief, enhance our economic strength, stand up for hardworking agriculture producers, demonstrate leadership in the world, reinforce our defense readiness, and support the heroic efforts of our law enforcement officers. I look forward to continuing to work with the president to achieve these goals and ensure a more promising future for our nation.