Opinion

In recent years, our nation has experienced an alarming spike in poor mental health that was exacerbated by COVID-19 pandemic shutdowns. Sadly, too many Americans have faced symptoms of anxiety, depression or more. This Suicide Prevention Awareness Month is a critical reminder to take mental health seriously and promote a healthy and mindful lifestyle.

As we celebrate National Literacy Month, it’s important to understand the far-reaching impacts of this issue on our communities and how we can help. Literacy is the foundation on which every aspect of an individual’s life is built, from being able to grow one’s imagination as a child to being able to secure good employment and become an independent adult.

In recent years, the process of passing the 12 annual government funding bills, also known as appropriations, has grown increasingly difficult. When Republicans regained majority of the U.S. House of Representatives this year, one of our top priorities was to restore regular order by passing appropriations bills to provide full government funding at more sensible spending levels and with priorities that address the crises our nation is facing. Although the fiscal year lapsed this past weekend without completing this process, Congress managed to avoid a dangerous government shutdown by passing a Continuing Resolution (CR) and allow House Republicans to finish the funding process before the end of this year.

October is National Domestic Violence Awareness Month, an opportunity to acknowledge survivors and to serve as a voice for those who are being victimized. As Oklahoma is plagued by domestic violence more than almost any other state, it is crucial that we recognize its pervasiveness and what we can do to stop these horrific incidents.

On President Joe Biden’s first week in office, he implemented several misguided and destructive energy policies including issuing moratoriums on new oil, gas and coal leasing and permitting on federal lands and canceling the construction of the Keystone XL pipeline. As a result, our nation is relying on foreign nations for our energy needs and Americans are paying exponentially more to put gas in their vehicles and to cool and heat their homes.

There’s an old saying that you don’t really appreciate something until you don’t have it anymore. We all know that to be true in our personal life with each loss of a lifelong friend or family member. It’s no secret many newspapers in the United States have closed in recent years. Every time it happens it feels like losing a lifelong friend or family member.

Just as families’ schedules are getting more hectic with back-toschool events and sports, so is ours at the Capitol and around our districts. Interim studies are in full swing with dozens scheduled for the next six weeks. All of those meetings must be completed by Friday, Nov. 3. You can find a full meeting schedule at https://oksenate. gov/committee-meetings and then you can click on the meeting notice to see the list of speakers. Once meetings are concluded, any presentations made will also be available on our website.

Lawmakers are returning to Washington, D.C. after spending several weeks in their districts. The extended time during the customary August district work period each year always provides the opportunity to interact directly with constituents and hear firsthand about the issues that matter most to them. I am always thankful for this time to gain that perspective before returning to legislative work.

Attorney General Gentner Drummond has created an Organized Crime Task Force to combat the scourge of illegal marijuana grow operations across Oklahoma and added a resource for citizens to report suspicious activity related to unlicensed operations.

The office of U.S. Senator Markwayne Mullin (R-OK) is accepting applications for service academy nominations for appointment to four of the five U.S. service academies: the U.S. Military Academy, U.S Naval Academy, U.S. Air Force Academy, and U.S. Merchant Marine Academy. The fifth service academy, the U.S. Coast Guard Academy, does not require a congressional nomination for appointment.

Since being back in the Fourth Congressional District for the customary August district work period, I have had the privilege of meeting with several small business owners and Chambers of Commerce across the district. Just as Oklahoma’s small businesses are critical to a prosperous economy, it is critical that they have an economy that allows them to prosper and succeed. The great communities throughout Oklahoma are anchored by small businesses and the families that work to uphold generations of hard work and local reinvestment.