Despite our polarized politics, there are some great examples of bipartisanship afoot — R’s and D’s working together on behalf of the American people 🇺🇸 One such example is the rail safety bill led by @SenVancePress and @SenSherrodBrown Read more in my @washingtonpost LTE 👇

Y'all make fun of Florida, but it's the only place with direct flights to the Moon.

SCOOP: The Trump administration has lifted its ban on issuing permits to wind farms related to bird protections — while also beginning enforcement actions against operators, @jaeporeon reports. Read the full story: heatmap.news/politics/eagle-…

Already flip flopping

I try to use my time traveling between Indiana and Washington for reading. Here are ten books I greatly enjoyed in 2025: - Age of Revolutions: Progress and Backlash from 1600 to the Present by @FareedZakaria — Zakaria, a respected journalist and thinker, examines why some societies have successfully adapted to dramatic technological and social change while others have faltered. Helpful for understanding today’s turbulence, and how progress might be sustained.
 - Six Frigates: The Epic History of the Founding of the U.S. Navy by @IanWToll — A detailed account of the political resolve, strategic vision, and institutional pushback behind the creation of the U.S. Navy. Toll reminds us that maritime strength is hard-won but has been essential to American sovereignty from the very beginning.
 - Undaunted Courage: Meriwether Lewis, Thomas Jefferson, and the Opening of the American West by Stephen Ambrose — Ambrose chronicles how President Jefferson’s vision and Lewis’s leadership translated ambition into action. From logistical planning to physical hardships to geopolitical consequences, this is an account of American initiative, exploration, and national purpose.
 - The Neptune Factor: Alfred Thayer Mahan and the Concept of Sea Power by Nicholas Lambert — A timely reassessment of Alfred Thayer Mahan, the Navy’s first great strategist. Lambert underscores Mahan’s insight that maritime power rests not only on fleets, but on commerce, industry, and economic decision-making. Important lessons as we debate shipbuilding and industrial capacity today.
 - King Leopold’s Ghost: A Story of Greed, Terror, and Heroism in Colonial Africa by Adam Hochschild — History can inspire, but it must also warn. Hochschild exposes the brutality and exploitation at the heart of King Leopold’s Congo, reminding readers how unchecked greed and power can corrode human dignity and why moral clarity matters in global affairs.
 - A Fever in the Heartland: The Ku Klux Klan’s Plot to Take Over America, and the Woman Who Stopped Them by @nytegan — Set in 1920s Indiana, this gripping account traces the KKK’s alarming rise into mainstream political power, and its sudden collapse. It is a reminder that democratic institutions require vigilance, and that courage and integrity can prevail over entrenched hatred and corruption.
 - Freedom’s Forge: How American Business Produced Victory in World War II by @ArthurLHerman — Herman tells the story of industrial leaders like William Knudsen and Henry Kaiser, who mobilized American manufacturing to defeat fascism. The book offers enduring lessons about public-private partnership, industrial readiness, and national unity.
 - New Cold Wars: China's Rise, Russia's Invasion, and America's Struggle to Defend the West by @SangerNYT — A veteran New York Times reporter examines the false sense of finality that followed the Cold War and how a new era of great-power competition emerged.
 - Nuclear War: A Scenario by @AnnieJacobsen — Jacobsen offers a rigorously researched hypothetical to illustrate how quickly nuclear escalation could unfold under real-world constraints: limited time, imperfect information, and human fallibility. The book is a sobering reminder that deterrence is fragile and the stakes could not be higher.
 - All The King’s Men by Robert Penn Warren — Often called the definitive American political novel, this classic traces the rise and fall of Willie Stark, a populist reformer undone by corruption and ambition. It is a cautionary tale about power, character, and the moral demands of public service.

Political polarization has become a top concern, passing immigration, inflation & crime, says a new poll. But Americans also say they want cooperation across party lines. What can be done? @liam_dcl & @ConstitutionMel explain, Jan 12. Get tickets now: commonwealthclub.org/events/…

No way I could beat those two guys!

From Rep Marjorie Taylor Greene (R-GA) interview with CNN: "I would like to say, humbly, I'm sorry for taking part in the toxic politics. It's very bad for our country. It's been something I've thought about a lot, especially since Charlie Kirk was assassinated. I'm only responsible for myself and my own words and actions, and I'm committed -- and I've been working on this a lot lately -- to put down the knives in politics. I really just want to see people be kind to one another"

My son Justin has sworn into the U.S. Army as an 11B infantryman! I couldn't be prouder of him. Hooah! 🇺🇸

Karine Jean Pierre is truly end-stage liberal identity politics, where literally every question can be answered by reference to "lived experience," all politics boils down to what identity boxes you check, and stunningly narcissistic acts are excused as "self-care".

I appreciate the kind words of support from President Trump! Proud to be mentioned at such an important event. Thank you for working together to get my HALT Fentanyl Act across the finish line. Together, we will make America FENTANYL-FREE!

News: Jared Golden announces he is running for re-election to the House

I’m completely serious — Randy Clarke for Mayor

PEPFAR is the epitome of soft power. It is a Republican initiative, it is pro-life, pro-America and the most popular U.S. program in Africa. There’s even a waiver acknowledging this, yet I’m told that drugs are still being withheld at clinics in Africa. This must be reversed immediately!!

NEW from me President Trump tells me he supports H-1B visas calling it "a great program” and adds "I have many H-1B visas on my properties" nypost.com/2024/12/28/us-new…

Excited to be an original member of the Senate @DOGE Caucus. One big issue I’m focused on in the caucus is permitting reform and litigation abuse that makes it impossible to build things in America - roads, bridges, ports, gold mines. This issue unites so many. There is no reason it should take nearly 8 years to permit a bridge, up to 19 years to permit a road, and 20 years to permit a gold mine in Alaska, all while costing millions in fees just to meet the permitting requirements. No other country does this!