Growing up in Oklahoma, you learn pretty quickly how important your neighbors are. Whether they’re there to lend a helping hand when times are tough or there to celebrate your family’s life milestones, your neighbors are the folks you look out for.
I was raised to believe that the government should be doing things for people, not doing things to people. And that’s the mindset I take to Washington, D.C. as your Congressman.
As a fifth-generation Oklahoman, whose family has farmed in western Oklahoma for more than 120 years, I know the issues that are affecting our farmers and ranchers. As wheat farmers and cattle ranchers, my wife and I know the work that is necessary to raise a quality crop and prime beef- and we’re proud of our Oklahoma roots.
Oftentimes Washington thinks of rural America as fly-over country. But I serve in Congress to make sure rural America isn’t forgotten. I stand up for rural Oklahoma.
For years, agriculture producers have been battered by commodity prices that often don’t cover the costs of production. My work in Congress is focused on bringing new markets and ensuring a strong safety net for these hard-working men and women. I wrote the 2014 Farm Bill and I helped pass the 2018 Farm Bill signed into law by President Trump.
In this current Congress, I’ve introduced legislation to further support Oklahoma’s farmers and ranchers, and I’ve worked to expand the number of small and medium-sized meat processors in Oklahoma. But my work in Congress goes far beyond the ag sector.
In every Oklahoma town there’s a Main Street that’s lined with small businesses- everything from our favorite family-owned spot to eat to the corner hardware store. These small businesses are the backbone of our communities, creating jobs, and spurring local economic development throughout our towns.
During COVID-19, we’ve seen a number of small businesses face hard times. The coronavirus pandemic left many of our small businesses near-permanent closure, and many of them had to make tough decisions just to keep their doors open. But as we battle COVID-19, and safely and responsibly reopen our local economies, we must make sure our communities’ small businesses thrive once again.
In order for small businesses to remain open, create jobs, and grow, we need laws that promote growth- not stifle it. I believe Oklahoma’s economy is strongest when taxes are low, businesses are able to thrive, and the government gets out of the way.
In 2017, I voted for President Trump’s Tax Cuts and Jobs Act which brought historic tax reform to America’s economy and cut taxes for my fellow neighbors- guaranteeing more take-home pay for Oklahomans at the end of a long day’s work. I know at the end of the day all my fellow Oklahomans want is for their business to grow- and that’s why I’ll continue to support our Main Street businesses.
Last but not least, the future of Oklahoma lies in the future of our children. I’ve been blessed with three children and five grandchildren, and there’s nothing in this world that I want more than to give them the best future I can. One building block of success for our children is education.
No matter their zip code, no matter their upbringing, we must provide our children with a high-quality education. And in today’s 21st-century society, a quality education relies heavily on access to high-speed broadband.
Access to broadband gives our educators new teaching opportunities and it allows our school children to expand their knowledge beyond the walls of the classroom. I’ve been proud to join the United States Department of Agriculture in announcing more than $117.5 million in rural broadband funding for rural Oklahoma, and as your Congressman, I’ll continue to make sure more families have access to this critical infrastructure. Cause when our children are given the tools they need to grow, we provide Oklahoma with a better future.
As the Congressman for Oklahoma’s Third Congressional District, I’m proud to call everyone who lives in the Third District, my neighbor. As my father taught me, I’ll look out for those who call Oklahoma home.
My principles of family and hard work run deep, and I’ll always stand up for Oklahoma’s values and be a conservative voice of reason. So, whether you’re a family farmer, small business owner, educator, public servant, or anything in between, I hope I can count on your vote on Election Day.