November 5, 2022

The entire U.S. economy runs on diesel. Whether powering our container ships from overseas, moving the trucks that collect goods at ports and distribute them to warehouses and stores, enabling farmers who plow their land and grow our food, or helping construction workers build public infrastructure and our family homes, diesel has more of an impact on the economy than one may think. The looming shortage puts many Oklahomans in an impossible position— whether that is trouble heating their home or affording the increased cost of goods that will result. I sent a letter to Biden's Energy Secretary Jennifer Granholm, Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg, and Interior Secretary Deb Haaland, seeking answers on how members of the President's Cabinet plan to deal with this. You can read the letter here. 

LOWERING THE COST OF LIVING

One-party Democrat rule in Washington is proving too costly for Americans. In Oklahoma, inflation is 14.7 percent, costing the average family an additional $592 per month.

Under President Donald Trump, we had the most robust economy our country has seen in decades. Now, that progress is coming undone in the name of passing a radical, socialist agenda.

So far, the economic track record under President Biden is shameful. Total government spending has increased by over $9 trillion since February 2021. Year-over-year food prices have skyrocketed up 13.5 percent, the most significant increase ever. The Inflation Expansion Act included $70 billion in tax increases on small businesses and Americans making less than $200,000. Over 43 percent of Americans have had to prematurely dip into their retirement savings to make ends meet. Families see higher prices for gas, food, and other everyday items.

When former President Ronald Reagan took office on January 20, 1981, the United States was experiencing some of the worst economic times since the Great Depression. Taxes were high, unemployment numbers were up, and interest rates had soared. President Reagan effectively unified the country through “Reaganomics,” a plan that created over 20 million jobs and lowered inflation from 13.5 percent to 4.1 percent. Plus, the net worth of families earning between $20,000 and $50,000 grew by 27 percent annually.

President Reagan knew that to reboot the economy, his Administration had to lower taxes and level the playing field. As a result, his economic policies were key to bringing the longest peacetime economic expansion in our country’s history.

In his Inaugural Address, Reagan said, “Putting America back to work means putting all Americans back to work. Ending inflation means freeing all Americans from the terror of runaway living costs. All must share in the productive work of this ’new beginning,’ and all must share in the bounty of a revived economy.”

These words are still true today. We all know that it’s not the wealthy who will pay the price for Joe Biden’s reckless policies. It’s every American family.

OUR MILITARY COMMUNITY DESERVES BETTER

The Department of Defense Health Agency recently renegotiated its contract with Cigna/Express Scripts (ESI). This contract removes the option for many TRICARE beneficiaries to utilize the pharmacy of their choice. This means over 15,000 independent community pharmacies are no longer a part of the TRICARE pharmacy network, leaving roughly 400,000 beneficiaries with limited access to care. This is especially alarming for beneficiaries who live in rural communities like the ones in my district. I recently joined Rep. Ralph Norman and 26 of our fellow House Republicans in sending a letter to Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin, seeking answers from the Secretary concerning this change, the appropriateness of these negotiated terms, and the impact this decision will have on TRICARE beneficiaries across the country. You can read the letter here.

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