There are places I remember that have changed forever. Places I used to frequent, places I dearly enjoyed, where the open doors have closed and locked for various reasons. When you’re young and you have a key, it’s easy to take the open doors and the people for granted. Of course, you’re not trying to take these people and things for granted, and you didn’t think you were taking them for granted.

Particularly concerning Israel, prominent journalists, professors, diplomats, jurists and international organizations – to say nothing of numerous ignorant students on America’s elite campuses – disregard the balancing test central to the international laws of war.

Since government and pharmaceutical companies lied about the COVID vaccine, are they also lying about other vaccines? Skepticism has now spread to tried-and-true vaccines that are proven to work.

In many sectors along the Western Front during World War I, troops spontaneously stopped fighting at Christmas and enjoyed a brief but welcome respite from the horrors of war. Such moments of humanity were largely lacking from World War II. But one notable exception occurred during the Battle of the Bulge, when seven young soldiers were spared from the fighting on Christmas Eve.

For my family, Christmas is about marking the birth of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. His humble arrival in a manger brought hope and healing to our broken world.

There is only one Christmas that is important – the first one, in a cow shed. Now known the world over, but not always for the right reason. As you celebrate this season, remember the real reason.

One reason we are able to enjoy this season so much is because we live in a great and free country. But that freedom has never been guaranteed, not at our nation’s founding or even today. It comes at an incredibly high price that none of us can take for granted.

We are all equal in importance to God because we are created in His image. God does not make junk.

More than 100 years ago, on Christmas Eve, one of the more extraordinary events of the 20th century occurred on the battlefields of Western Europe, during the early days of World War I.

During this Christmas season, I hope we reflect on how much we have to be grateful for in Nebraska and America, and cherish these very special traditions. And no matter how you celebrate the Christmas season, I hope you spend it surrounded by loved ones.

Expect a lot of pushbacks as DOGE comes into play. Expect a lot of turmoil. Services will need to be cut; jobs will need to be eliminated. There will be howls all around.

Not only is there no deal in place today constraining Iran’s nuclear program, but Tehran’s theocrats have used oil export revenues – an estimated at $144 billion of which was earned during Biden’s first three years – to underwrite the cycle violence currently engulfing the Middle East.

She sat on the couch. I jumped up beside her and lay down, my head in her lap. She ran her fingers along my ears. I sighed. She smiled. Life is good, even though the brightly colored things are just out of my pop-up reach.

Throughout my time in Congress, I’ve fought to champion policies that improve the lives of Missourians and Americans alike.

Our government is supposed to be of, by and for the people. We ought to engage with our constituents and learn from their own expertise. Together, I’m confident we can develop creative solutions to reduce expenditures while preserving programs that exemplify the values that define our nation.