Treasury Secretary Janet Yellen recently announced that, within the next month, the federal government will exhaust so-called “extraordinary measures” that are being used to fund our debt obligations. Put simply, this means a fight to raise the debt ceiling will be at the top of the agenda when the House reconvenes next week. more

“Make sure she gets on the bike again,” Dad instructed Dorothy after my heel was bandaged. We all knew what he meant; I needed to ride again to overcome the fear of getting hurt. In challenging life situations our father was known to say, “It’s like getting thrown off a horse; you just have to get back on again.” I was glad he didn’t say that this time because he made it clear that I could not have a horse. more

Life presents challenges to us all and most of us understand worry. There are enough ordeals along the way of life to cause each of us to worry our heads off. However, worry will never add another day to our lives. Worry will not smooth a wrinkle, dry a tear or eliminate disease, poverty. It will not keep someone from harm. Worry has never prevented bad news or bad things from happening. more

Twenty years ago, on a bright, clear-skied September morning, our nation was attacked. Many of us probably remember where we were on that fateful, horrific day. I know I do. more

I don’t remember a time when we did not have a television in our home as I grew up. The black and white Zenith sat next to the roll-top desk in the living room and often provided night-time entertainment for the family. more

“If cats don’t go to heaven, then I don’t want to go either!” I boldly announced to the young pastor at my first year confirmation class. Two summers ago I related this statement from my youth to three close friends as we sat around my sunroom table, while my cat Elsa rubbed tortoiseshell hairs on every leg and basked in the extra head rubs and ear scratches. “Of course they go to heaven,” asserted one of the ladies. She smiled softly and added, “They give us a taste of heaven on earth.” more

I didn’t send my young children to school that day, though the two who were old enough to attend school were ready and even excited for the day ahead of them. I got a phone call as I was … more

Discovering the origins of COVID-19 is about preventing another pandemic. Maybe Communist China can’t be forced to tell the truth, but Congress must compel the National Institutes of Health and … more

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) called on President Biden to promptly appoint qualified individuals to the position of Chief Agricultural Negotiator at the Office of the United States Trade Representative and the role of Under Secretary for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture. more

Sweet transition from the heat, from the work, from the hard, rough edges of life. On we go now to autumn, to black, lacy leaves and twigs standing out against an orange sky. The mornings now have that coolness, that chill that tells us we once again have made it through the heat and toil and can sit back now and then and reflect on things. more

They have the power to tell love stories, fuse friendships and end wars. They can convey profound thanks, apology or heartrending regret. They can alter history. Words written on paper by a human hand---letters. more

Democrats want to dismantle a century-old tax law that has protected American agriculture. more