In late July, the House of Representatives gaveled in and, within hours, rushed through legislation that purported to “codify the findings of Obergefell v. Hodges and its 2015 redefinition of marriage. Rather than defend the institution of marriage, many Republicans chose to run for the hills – calling the move a political stunt, opting to…
As legislators, we have two primary duties: uphold the Constitution, and protect the rights and interests of residents. I filter everything I do – every bill I introduce, and every vote I take – through this lens. For most of our history as Americans, marriage was an institution not regulated by or touched by the…
CHICAGO – One rarely hears of the American Dream these days. The belief that anyone can move upward and achieve their own version of success regardless of what class or zip code they were born into has taken a beating in recent years. In speeches, politicians often point out how the American Dream is only…
Thanksgiving is a lousy week to start a diet. But this week is a wonderful time to reflect and give thanks. I thank God for three wonderful children. I was also so lucky 36 years ago when my then-future wife Kathy said yes. There is one other thing I think about a lot during the…
Donald Trump’s announcement that he will seek the White House in 2024 serves as a timely reminder that, while many of the high-profile candidates he endorsed in 2022’s midterms performed below expectations, the policies he embraced as a candidate and as president, particularly relating to education freedom and parental rights, have proven enormously popular among…
The South Lawn of the White House is America’s most iconic backyard and the most picturesque setting for a White House wedding. With sweeping views of the Washington Monument, Jefferson Memorial and a sea of meticulously manicured blades of green grass, the South Lawn has played host to many memorable occasions etched in the memory…
The autopsy on the 2022 midterm elections is still underway, but many on the Right are asking an important question: Why is abortion such a losing issue for Republicans? Pro-life supporters lost five state ballot initiatives on Nov. 8, suffering defeats in California, Michigan, Virginia, Kentucky and Montana. Back in August, voters in Kansas defeated…
Broken promises. Betrayal. Moral Injury. This is how I described the 2021 botched Afghan withdrawal in my book “Operation Pineapple Express.” These feelings are shared by many of the 750,000 Afghan War veterans, especially as we observed Veterans Day earlier this month. Why? Because they understand the stakes, something our government doesn’t seem to grasp….
For me, last month’s Supreme Court argument in the Harvard affirmative-action case was personal. Growing up poor in Los Angeles, as the son of Colombian immigrants, I faced my share of racist taunts and stereotyping. In high school, I recall my White French teacher asking where I wanted to go to college. I said the Naval Academy. In front of all the other students she blurted, “You can’t go THERE!” And you know what? She was…
The national debt is on track to exceed record levels in the next few years. Inflation is at a 40-year high. We need to put in place a balanced, bipartisan debt-reduction plan to slow inflation, bring down the debt, and promote long-term economic growth – around $7 trillion in savings would be enough to keep…