Opinion

With about three months left until the beginning of session, bill filing is underway. I filed the first Senate measure of the upcoming session, Senate Bill 1197, to designate the section of U.S. Highway 77 beginning on the east side of the James C. Nance Bridge extending through Lexington to the intersection of Moffatt Road in Cleveland County as the Col. John L. Smith Medal of Honor Recipient Memorial Highway.

As we just observed Veterans Day on Nov. 11 and remembered the many heroes who have bravely defended the United States of America, I am filled with deep gratitude. Like all Americans, I am thankful to all who have answered the call to serve, and especially to the estimated 300,000 living Oklahomans who have fought for our freedom and advanced our democracy.

E arlier this month, eight House Republicans joined with every House Democrat to oust the former Speaker of the U.S. House of Representatives, Kevin McCarthy, for the first time in American history. As I warned then, this disastrous move plunged the House, Republicans’ ability to function as a majority and the United States into chaos. Now, not only are we less than 20 days from a critical government funding deadline, but major world events occurred during our turmoil including Hamas’ launch of the deadliest attack on Israel in 70 years and other Iran-backed terrorist groups attack on U.S. facilities in the Middle East. Now that the House has elected a Speaker, it is high time for this body to get back to work.