This week, we remember the victims of the Oklahoma City bombing and the loved ones left behind on that horrible day 23 years ago. As we mourn the worst act of homegrown terrorism in our country’s history, we also reflect on a term coined on April 19, 1995: the Oklahoma Standard. It is fitting that April is also National Volunteer Month, where volunteers are commended and Americans are encouraged to lend a helping hand. The Oklahoma Standard we all know is a norm that continues to spread not only... Read more

Since the day President Trump took the oath of office, he has been hard at work making America great again. Others may not agree with how many times he tweets each day or his unique deal making tactics, but the fact of the matter is that President Trump is enacting policies that put our country back on track. As a businessman from New York City, President Trump may speak or act differently than most Oklahomans. I believe that we make decisions based on two things: our life experiences and the wa... Read more

The men and women of law enforcement dedicate their entire careers to serving their community. Each day, there are countless police officers, sheriffs, marshals, and Oklahoma Highway Patrol officers across our state with one shared goal: keeping Oklahomans safe from harm. Law enforcement officials sacrifice time with their families and friends day-in-and-day-out to dutifully fulfill their role to keep peace among members of their community. In recent years, many law enforcement officers have sho... Read more

It is undeniable that religion provided the moral basis for our country to be founded on. When in Washington, I am often reminded of the religious symbolism built within the walls of various government buildings and monuments across the city. There are several examples of religion inside the U.S. Capitol. On the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives, there are 23 carved portraits of historic figures who handed down laws to their people. These portraits line the walls of the House floor and ... Read more

We all know someone who has struggled with opioid or prescription pain killer addiction. My own family has loved ones struggling with prescription painkiller addiction. Addiction affects people across all spectrums of life regardless of race, gender, age, or economic status. Although Congress isn’t known for its bipartisanship in the mainstream media, combating the opioid epidemic is something that my colleagues on both sides of the aisle are passionate about. This nationwide crisis is a nonpart... Read more

Each year, Oklahoma’s economy is positively impacted by the production and shipment of heating, cooling, and refrigeration equipment, rubber, pipes, steel and iron tubes, fertilizer, plastics, and so much more that originate inside our state. In 2016, Oklahoma exported $1.4 billion in goods to Canada and $537 million to Mexico, our two largest export markets. The North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) is responsible for nearly 40 percent of Oklahoma’s total exports and over 100,000 Oklahoma... Read more

It is no secret that President Trump supports products being made in America. He is a strong advocate for bringing back the middle class by returning manufacturing jobs to the states. A ‘Made in America’ comeback would revive the manufacturing industry we’ve slowly been losing to other countries and boost the economy and workforce. Last week, President Trump announced that he would introduce a 25 percent tax on imported steel and a 10 percent tax on imported aluminum. As one can imagine, this ru... Read more

Until his last day on earth, ninety-nine year old Reverend Billy Graham led a life worth aspiring to. He dedicated his livelihood to spreading the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Known as America’s pastor, Reverend Graham preached the Good News to millions over his lifetime and inspired faithfulness around the world with his simple, yet powerful message. The Reverend famously said, “I am not going to Heaven because I have preached to great crowds or read the Bible many times. I'm going to Heaven just li... Read more

Under President Obama, continued sequestration squashed the chances of military readiness. Air Force planes couldn’t fly. Navy ships couldn’t sail. Army troops couldn’t deploy. Our military didn’t have the resources necessary to be prepared for growing threats. Some veterans saw unbelievably long lines at Veterans Affairs (VA) medical centers while others didn’t even have access to the quality health care they have earned and deserve. Thankfully, there’s a new Commander-in-Chief in charge. Presi... Read more

Clunk. Clunk. Clunk. You’re driving down Highway 69 on your way to work and the roads are full of potholes the size of our neighboring state of Texas and uneven pavement that makes you feel like you’re on a roller coaster. These roads that thousands of Oklahomans travel daily to get to work are proof of our state’s crumbling infrastructure. In their 2017 infrastructure report card, the American Society of Civil Engineers gave Oklahoma a C- grade overall. Our dams, roads, bridges, and levees all ... Read more