OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 29th) – Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, has filed three pieces of legislation to protect Oklahoma drivers from unnecessary headaches on the road.

OKLAHOMA CITY (Dec. 28, 2022) – Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, has filed legislation requiring school districts to inform teachers of their First Amendment rights and obtain reauthorization every year before deducting union dues from teachers’ paychecks.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus that all the world should be taxed. (And this taxing was first made when Cyrenius was governor of Syria.) And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:) to be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord. And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying, Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us. And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child. And all they that heard it wondered at those things which were told them by the shepherds.

But Mary kept all these things, and pondered them in her heart.

And the shepherds returned, glorifying and praising God for all the things that they had heard and seen, as it was told unto them.

OKLAHOMA CITY (December 22nd) – Sen. Nathan Dahm, R-Broken Arrow, filed legislation on Thursday to protect public and private Christmas Nativity displays.

Earmarks: political self-bribery. Vote and influence buying. "The gateway drug to runaway spending," as the late Dr. Tom Coburn used to say.

Earlier, I posted that U.S. Sen. Jim Inhofe was the only Oklahoman to vote for the $1.7 trillion omnibus bill passed by Congress. Why was he in favor of the mega-spending bill?

OKLAHOMA CITY, OK (Dec. 23rd) – Senator James Lankford (R-OK) today announced a huge victory he secured to protect the right of religious liberty for our heroes in the Armed Forces. After receiving a commitment from the Department of Defense (DOD) Secretary Lloyd Austin that all members who had requested a religious accommodation from the COVID-19 vaccine who have been waiting on a response, will now get the answers they have been waiting for and be allowed to return to their duties. 

In policy debate, volume doesn’t equate to influence

In policy debates, when special interests cannot justify their position with sound analysis, they increase the volume instead. Unfortunately, a political approach known as “vote your district” can allow those special-interests tactics to work.

That’s because the “vote my district” mantra misconstrues the true job of a lawmaker and makes it more likely a legislator will miss opportunities to advance thriving.

Because we are a republic with elected representation (lawmakers), the job of a lawmaker is to represent his or her constituents by being the person who thoroughly studies issues, understands the policy implications, votes accordingly—and then explains why to constituents.

Washington, D.C. – Representative Kevin Hern (OK-01) introduced the Protecting Life from Chemical Abortions Act, which will prevent the Executive Branch from declaring an abortion-related public health emergency. Second, this legislation reinstates safety regulations and in-person dispensing requirements for dangerous chemical abortions. It further bars the FDA from waiving these protections in the future.