Our world is more prosperous than ever, or at least was before the economic disruption from COVID-19. The ongoing search for a vaccine or cure illustrates how knowledge is the source of prosperity. For an even more prosperous future, we must ensure that people have the incentive to create and apply knowledge. Economists and historians […]

Let’s start with clearing the air … generally speaking, I don’t hang out in bars. This is not a puff piece to defend pub crawls. So before any of my folks, fans or friends think that I’m writing this because I was hoping for one last round after 11 p.m., the answer is “no.” What […]

It’s hard to believe that we have reached the month of August, and summer will be ending soon. Although many schools have delayed start dates or chose to begin the school year virtually, students across the state will soon be back to school in some form or fashion. Typically, we are gearing up this time […]

Will Ainsworth: Doug Jones has remained largely mute on the topic of anarchy in the streets and his few comments have dismissed the frequent violent...

President Donald Trump’s pledge to help those who need it most through the Foster Youth to Independence (FYI) Initiative reaffirms his commitment...

Last week was pretty frustrating in Washington. While the House frittered away at useless Democrat messaging bills which have no chance of passage in the Senate, Speaker Pelosi refused negotiations with the Senate on a $1 trillion dollar bill to address the nation’s ongoing needs as a result of COVID-19. At the end of the […]

All of the personality traits, values and life lessons that we carry with us as adults were shaped and instilled in us by the people we encountered in childhood. For many, the strongest influences came from our schoolteachers, who opened new worlds of knowledge and taught us skills that remain with us today. Consider for […]

Before Congress heads out for August recess, members of Congress must pass the next round of coronavirus relief. As American families are struggling to make ends meet, there are a host of issues that need to be addressed. For Alabama businesses, reasonable liability protections from coronavirus-related lawsuits will be key to help protect small businesses […]

Experts in public health and epidemiology have driven policymaking during the COVID-19 pandemic. How much should we trust experts? Critics dismiss Republicans who voice distrust of experts as anti-science. Yet even experts know very little about complex economies and societies. Frustration with experts does cross party lines. New York’s Democratic Governor Andrew Cuomo recently remarked […]

John Lewis once said, “You cannot be afraid to speak up and speak out for what you believe. You have to have courage, raw courage.” He also encouraged us to “Get into good trouble, necessary trouble, and help redeem the soul of America.” John Lewis’ journey through this world started right here in the middle […]

Last weekend should have been a shining moment for the state of Alabama, a celebration of the life and efforts of Congressman John Lewis – a true freedom fighter and hero for civil rights and equality in our nation. It was also an opportunity to reflect on our past and be proud of how far […]

I don’t know if you’ve ever had the displeasure of being at sea when a major storm develops. It is disconcerting, to say the least. As the deck pitches and rolls, the mental review of the all-hands disaster planning takes place in the mind. Pulling into a safe harbor and putting feet on dry land […]

Getting the resources you need to battle addiction is hard enough. Doing it during COVID-19 can be nearly impossible, and the current state of our country could be making the severity of Alabama’s addiction crisis far worse. Quarantine can be isolating; for those who are economically insecure, it can also mean real fear of losing […]

Have you noticed how often politicians claim they want to help American families yet support policies that make poverty and hardship even worse? Socialist Democrats like Doug Jones, Nancy Pelosi, Chuck Schumer and Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez threaten America’s national security, suppress American worker wages, and take needed American jobs from struggling American families by luring millions […]

In describing his constituents, George Wallace used to say that “the people of Alabama are just as cultured, refined and gracious as anyone else in America.” Whether it was true when he said it or not, it made Alabamians stand a little higher and feel better about their circumstances. If actions speak louder than words, […]

Last week, I had a virtual conference with the leaders of the local school systems in our district. Starting a new school year is a difficult task in the best of times. Doing so in the middle of a pandemic with the disease spreading as it is now makes this normally difficult job truly daunting. […]

Simpson: Shouldn’t we hold the officials in charge of running and managing Alabama’s prison systems to at least a modicum of the same standards?

Governor Ivey imposed a statewide mask mandate last week as Alabama’s intensive care units (ICUs) approached capacity. We have experienced unprecedented restrictions on freedom to prevent COVID-19 from overwhelming our healthcare system. The COVID pandemic will hopefully lead us to recognize that healthcare is an economic good. Economists would identify a lack of hospital or […]

Regardless of your race or political persuasion, I believe that you can make a constructive difference in race relations by taking part in...

As the novel coronavirus pandemic continues to be a top focus throughout the country, it is important we do not forget about the selfless service members who dedicate themselves to protecting us all. Throughout my time in Congress, I have considered it a tremendous privilege and responsibility to represent a district that is home to […]

What if I told you that the government could tax you, then shut down your ability to pay the taxes, then provide you the funds to keep operating, but then tax you an extra amount on the funds they sent you. Sounds ridiculous, right? Well, we’re on the brink of finding out whether it will […]

Harper’s magazine recently posted a letter signed by over 150 leading authors, journalists and public intellectuals calling for greater support for freedom of speech. The letter criticized the intolerance for opposing views frequently exhibited on Twitter and social media. Does the freedom to criticize speech threaten the free exchange of ideas? Signers included David Brooks, […]

As I recently wrote about all the ways government agencies are assisting during the current health pandemic, I want to focus on a significant action Alabamians can take now to support our state for years to come. As you know, the U.S. Census Bureau is in the process of conducting the 2020 Census. Several census […]

When the House returns to business next Monday, we will take up the National Defense Authorization Act I wrote about last week. Then, we will take up appropriations bills for next fiscal year, which begins October 1, and likely another coronavirus bill. This spring I voted for both of the CARES Acts, which together spent […]