Humbled and honored

I was honored today to have been appointed as the next Chairman of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence. You can read Speaker of the House John Boehner’s announcement here, my statement here, and Chairman Rogers’ statement here.   

President Obama, His Royal Highness

One would think President Obama would interpret his latest Election Day shellacking as a resounding vote of no confidence in his agenda by the American people. But bizarrely, the president reportedly feels “liberated” by his party’s loss of control of the Senate. Even before the new Congress is seated, he plans to dramatically change the immigration system by signing executive orders, apparently unconcerned that such brazen moves would severely damage efforts at bipartisan cooperation on immigration and many other issues.

Although Obama previously admitted he does not have the authority to undertake these actions, he now argues that he is tired of waiting for Congress to act. If there is a clause in the Constitution that allows the president to usurp Congressional authority when he feels impatient, I haven’t seen it. Please take a look at the Constitution and tell me if you find it.  

The President is also reportedly planning a slew of dramatic executive actions to fight global warming. If his goal is to suppress economic growth and job creation, he’s on the right path.     

Turning to foreign policy, Russian strongman Vladimir Putin has been busy lately, dispatching Russian troops and new weapons systems into Ukraine, threatening the Baltics, announcing plans to send Russian bombers to the Gulf of Mexico, and possibly sending a submarine into Swedish territorial waters. Although Obama did not have much of a response to these provocations, his week was not free of accomplishments – he concluded a global warming agreement with China.

So we have that going for us.

Separately, the Nunes Digest is updated here. 

A conversation with our future leaders

This week I had the opportunity to do some Q&A with students of Mike Perales’ U.S. history class at Buchanan High School in Clovis. They were well-prepared with great questions on government and history, leading to an excellent discussion. Thank you to Mr. Perales, his students, and Buchanan High for hosting me.   

Separately, the Nunes Digest is updated for your weekend reading here. 

Nunes on KMJ Appleton show at 1:00 PST

I’ll be on the Ray Appleton show today on KMJ at 1:00 pm PST. Listen live here.  

Fighting the Ebola outbreak

As the number of Ebola-related deaths in West Africa surpasses 4,500, President Obama still refuses to implement a common-sense temporary travel ban on the region. He has, however, ordered thousands of U.S. military personnel into the danger zone on a dubious mission to fight the disease. If you want the facts on Ebola, including symptoms, causes, and prevention techniques, see the Mayo Clinic write-up here.  

On a lighter note, I recently visited the Little Caesars franchise in Clovis owned by Scott and Shelly Hellam, who won the pizzeria’s Franchisee of the Year award. Below is a picture with Scott, and another with Scott, Shelly, and store manager Taryn Coneley.

Finally, the Nunes Digest is updated for your weekend reading here. 

A day in Dinuba

I recently spent a great day in Dinuba, where I was honored to present Fred Ruiz with a resolution commemorating the 50-year anniversary of Ruiz Foods. I also want to thank Reda and Brenda Bennani for the excellent lunch they provided at Bennani’s restaurant.  

Separately, I’d like to draw your attention to this Washington Post article about the use of water as a weapon in Iraq by the Islamic State (ISIS) terror group. According to the Post, “The idea of a radical, non-state group gaining authority over critical water infrastructure has raised particular worry.” Luckily, here in the Central Valley, “radical, non-state groups” could never “gain authority” over “critical water infrastructure” and use it as a weapon to enforce their will, right? (Click here for the answer.)

Finally, the Nunes Digest is updated for your weekend reading here.