Weekly Columns Kay Bailey Hutchison

Dec 2012 7

Reform the Tax System

Pundits, economists, politicians and Americans from every walk of life have been discussing the rapidly approaching fiscal cliff that the country is poised to go over on January 1st. People are understandably both scared and frustrated.

Nov 2012 30

Don’t Raise Taxes on Small Businesses

Americans are understandably uncertain about the full extent of the damage to our economy if Congress and the White House fail to agree on deficit reduction and taxes to avoid the January 1, 2013 "fiscal cliff." But most taxpayers do know that their taxes are going up on January 1 if agreement isn't reached.

Nov 2012 23

We Can’t Afford to Go Over the Fiscal Cliff

You can't turn on the news these days without hearing about the looming "fiscal cliff." The stock market goes up and down daily as some small bit of good or bad news is reported about avoiding the economically catastrophic tax increases and automatic spending reductions that are set to occur at year's end.

Nov 2012 16

A Special Veteran

Active duty and military veterans have always had a prominent place in my Senate office.

Nov 2012 9

After the Election -- What Comes Next

The results are in on the election of 2012. For the next week, the pols and pundits will spend their time dissecting voters' motivations, but they should not ignore the two fundamental truths of this election: first, that the problems we had going into it remain unsolved. And second, that the close popular vote shows that Americans have differing views of how to go about addressing them.

Nov 2012 2

The Dangers of Over-regulation

Regulation has been a subject of some discussion this election, but it hasn't had the full discourse that the American people deserve. Our approach to regulation - of everything from healthcare to banking - fundamentally affects economic growth and job creation, and therefore is a matter of importance to all Americans.

Oct 2012 26

Higher Education: A Great Investment for Texas

A thriving economy depends on a vibrant business culture, and Texas is arguably the best state to do business in the nation. Our low taxes and reasonable approach to regulation, coupled with our abundant natural resources, have made us a prime destination for industries from energy to technology.

Oct 2012 19

Every Vote Does Count

It is often said that decisions are made by those who show up. Nowhere is that statement more true than at the voting booth.

Oct 2012 12

A Challenge of Global Proportions

Gunmen stormed a school bus last Tuesday and shot a 14-year-old girl in the head. Her crime? Getting an education. This seems almost inconceivable to those of us blessed to live in America, but in some areas of the globe, girls must risk their lives to get a basic education.

Oct 2012 5

Think Pink

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. From The Peninsula Hotel in Hong Kong to the Empire State Building, national monuments will be lit in pink to raise awareness.

Sep 2012 28

A Better Approach to Energy Policy

Since Thomas Edison and the Spindletop gushers that started the Texas oil boom, America has been the world leader in energy development. From electricity to nuclear power, American technology and industrial innovations have fueled global economic transformation with new forms of energy.

Sep 2012 21

A Looming Threat to National Security

Despite warnings of the dire consequences, America is teetering at the edge of a fiscal cliff, with January 1st, 2013 as the tipping point. On that date, unless Congress and the White House can reach agreement on how to cut the federal deficit, all taxpayers will be hit with higher taxes and deep cuts - called "sequestration" - will occur in almost all government spending, disrupting our already weak economy and putting our national security at risk.

Sep 2012 14

An Unemployment Crisis

The August jobs report has arrived and once again, it was worse than expected, dashing the hopes of 23 million jobless and underemployed Americans. The weariness we experience at yet another dire report is nothing compared to the emotional, physical and financial exhaustion these men and women feel.

Sep 2012 7

Under a Mountain of Debt

Last week, we passed a milestone no one wanted to see: the national debt hit a whopping $16 trillion. And things are getting worse in a hurry; this year's annual budget deficit will exceed $1 trillion - for the fourth consecutive year. No matter where one falls on the political spectrum, this should be cause for alarm and flashing red lights.

Aug 2012 31

Neil Armstrong: A True American Hero

In the passing of Neil Armstrong, America has lost not only a national hero, but a man of great character who served his country in more ways than one.

Aug 2012 24

Belief in America

In the midst of the campaign season, with the party conventions getting underway, much of the rhetoric has grown contentious. At this point, I think it is helpful to consider why we hold the beliefs we do, whatever party we happen to be a member of.

Aug 2012 17

Curiosity Pays

Early on August 6th, 2012, NASA's rover Curiosity executed a perfect landing after an eight-month journey took it an astonishing 325 million miles to Mars, a planet roughly 130 million miles from Earth. It was a huge leap forward for America's space program and for human exploration of our solar system. It reminded us that our innate curiosity leads to great feats of discovery, scientific advancement and improvement of the human condition. And it was a breathtaking moment of national pride and wonder.

Aug 2012 10

A Cybersecurity Solution

As Congress adjourned for the summer recess, some issues were left unresolved, most notably the question of a cybersecurity bill. Many have asked why. The answer is that I, and several of my colleagues, had deep concerns about the proposed bill. But I believe we can find common ground and a way forward.

Aug 2012 3

Texas goes for the Gold

It didn't take long for Texans to share in a breathtaking Olympic moment as the 2012 summer games got underway in London. On the first weekend of competition, Dana Vollmer of Granbury set a new world-record in the 100-meter butterfly, becoming the first woman to break the 56-second barrier.

Jul 2012 27

Sally Ride: American Heroine

On July 23rd, America lost a pioneer. Sally Ride served as a role model - for girls and women, certainly, but also for anyone interested in space - and her contributions to the American space program will ensure that her legacy is one of continuing inspiration.

Kay Bailey Hutchison | U.S. Senator - Texas

Weekly Columns