Thursday I voted against the bipartisan proposal, and I want to be clear as to why. This ‘compromise’ failed. We started these negotiations asking for 230 miles of border wall – the end result only left us with 55 miles. Any Kansan can tell you that’s not a deal worth taking.
There is no one, Democrat or Republican, that could say the President didn’t try to negotiate this deal in good faith. The bottom line is, Democrats never shared the same goals as the American people or President Trump- that goal being, secure our southern border. They solely wanted to deny this crisis and ignore all of the evidence that DHS has consistently provided.
It is shameful that these negotiations failed, so I understand and respect the president’s declaration.
Last week, I wrote an op-ed for Fox News that outlined the incredible risks of the barbaric New York abortion law. The late-term abortion process that New York recently passed is inhumane, for both the child and the mother. The further along in a pregnancy, the more risk from complications come with an abortion procedure.
On Wednesday morning, I joined Fox & Friends to discuss my experience as a physician at length and to continue to spread the truth about these dangerous procedures. On Wednesday night, I spoke out about the incredible risks of abortion on the floor of the House of Representatives and called upon my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to realize the danger it poses to mothers.
NY Abortion Law is Inhumane and Dangerous
I am outraged by the new legislation in New York that legalizes abortion up to the due date. I never thought I would see this day come, but I will do everything I can to prevent and combat anti-life legislation such as this.
New York’s latest embrace of late-term abortion is disgusting. It is, not only legalizing the murder of these precious babies just moments before their birth, but it also puts these mothers in extreme danger. The further along in a pregnancy a woman is, the more at risk she is of being harmed or even killed as a result of complications. Often, a woman in the late stages of pregnancy are at higher risk of life-threatening hemorrhaging and other extreme health risks.
As an OB-GYN, I’ve delivered thousands of babies and helped mothers through their pregnancies for 25 years, New York’s law demonstrates a complete disregard for life and medical standards that should be strongly condemned by all physician organizations and all Americans. As long as I have the privilege to serve in Congress, I will keep fighting for life and against abortions.
To read my full op-ed, please click HERE.
I discussed this topic further on Wednesday morning when I joined Ainsley Earhardt on Fox & Friends and exposed the harsh reality of the risks to mothers that late-term abortions pose.
To see the full segment, please click HERE.
Securing Our Southern Border
I voted against the border security proposal that made a mockery of the crisis on our southern border. I’m not sure how this negotiating process went from bad to worse. The President was very clear about needing 5.7 billion to build 230 miles of the wall across the southern border. I cannot support a deal that only funds 55 miles of the wall.
Throughout this entire process we have seen those on the far-left use these negotiations as a messaging platform to attack the president, rather than focus on the crisis at our southern border. I’m fed up with it, and the more than 70 percent of Kansans in my district who want the wall built are sick and tired of the political games and dysfunction in Washington.
Kansas Medical Society
The Kansas Medical Society visited my office on Tuesday where we discussed health care issues affecting citizens statewide. One of the main topics of the meeting was the opioid crisis and how it is affecting our communities.
The misuse of opioids has garnered increased attention in Kansas and across the nation in recent years. Last Congress, I voted for the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2018 and the Bipartisan Budget Act of 2018, both of which appropriated around $10 billion to address the opioid epidemic – the largest investment to date. These bills also provide for public prevention programs and law enforcement activities related to substance abuse.
I am committed to finding a solution that maintains the ability of physicians to make clinical decisions in the best interests of patients while adequately addressing the crisis of opioid abuse.
Discussing Health Care at the Border with the Department of Homeland Security
I joined my colleagues in the House Doctors Caucus on Tuesday for a briefing by Department of Homeland Security officials about their efforts to deliver quality healthcare at the Southern border. We discussed the current challenges and how further developments like a border wall would help them perform their jobs better and more efficiently. I am proud to be a member of such a dedicated group of medical professionals, and I look forward to working with them to provide the men and women at the DHS with the resources they need to do their jobs.
Hearing on Climate Research
On Monday, I joined my colleagues on the Science, Space, & Technology Committee to hear from leading climate scientists about the state of the climate and current climate research.
One thing is clear; industrial activity is contributing to the changing climate. To combat this, we must incentivize American businesses and entrepreneurs to develop a strong energy sector that includes all production methods and sources. If we are to remain a global leader, we must have a broad portfolio of affordable energy technologies to create cleaner energy.
I believe that the best and only way for us to achieve this goal is to put forward realistic and market-based solutions to develop cleaner energy while maintaining our market dominance when it comes to energy. What we need is to set the ingenuity of the American economy loose to find solutions, not dictate economy-crushing mandates from Washington.
Hutchinson Community College
Last week leaders from the Hutchinson Community College visited Washington, DC. We discussed my support for Pell Grants, which help students in need attend college, the Federal Work Study program, and the importance of job training.
With over 70 academic programs, Hutchinson Community College is a leader in equipping Kansans with the knowledge and skills they need for a successful career. They also offer some of the most affordable education in the state, allowing for a healthy work/school balance. It is critical that Congress continue to support community colleges like Hutchinson and I am proud to represent such a fine institution.
We Must Stand with Israel
On the House floor, I spoke out against antisemitism. There is no place for such hatred in America, especially not in the halls of Congress. We must hold our elected officials accountable and speak out forcefully when they advocate against the values of this nation.
It is clear to all of us; there are a couple of new colleagues across the aisle need be reminded, in fact, they need to admit, that the brutal regime of Iran is the chief obstacle to peace and security in the Middle East. We must continue to stand with Israel.
Endometriosis Awareness Month
Last week, I joined a group of bipartisan members to introduce H.R. 118. This legislation would designate March 2019 as Endometriosis Awareness Month.
Endometriosis is a disease of the uterus that can lead to complete infertility and, sadly, 1 in every ten women of reproductive age in the United States is impacted by it. Throughout my career as a physician, I’ve treated hundreds of endometriosis patients, and while we have advanced our treatment procedures through surgery, medication, and nutrition, we are still working hard to understand this disease in its entirety.
Establishing Endometriosis Awareness Month is an important step towards highlighting the experiences of women fighting this chronic disorder every day, that remains incurable to this day. I hope that one day, through awareness efforts like this legislation, we find a cure.
Valentine’s Day
To me, Valentine’s Day will always be the day that I celebrate my wife and I’s engagement. I took Laina to our church, got down on one knee and asked her to spend the rest of her life with me. I can’t believe that was 36 years ago, I remember it like it was yesterday.
There was no one else in the church, it was just us, and I wouldn’t have done it any other way.
Thanks for being my rock, my wife, a wonderful mother, and a super grandmother! Happy Valentine’s Day, Laina.