Mexican cartels are getting stronger as the Biden administration weakens security at the border, according to several current and former law enforcement officials. Most cartel violence occurs in Mexico as different factions fight for territory along the border into the United States.

Since we passed the March 11 deadline to advance bills that originated in our chamber, we’re now focusing on reviewing House bills that were approved in their chamber and assigning them to our Senate committees. We sent roughly 450 measures to the House, and they sent approximately 420 to our chamber. We’ll spend the next three weeks hearing these in committee.

Recently we had the opportunity to have lunch with a young, newly married friend whom we haven’t seen in a few months. After the usual banter and light gossip about the lives of mutual friends, we asked about his life now that he had been a husband for a while. His bride, his new house, their plans for the future –– you know the drill.

Two big annual events in Choctaw County last week included the Choctaw County Junior Livestock Show and the Chamber of Commerce annual Awards Banquet. Both events appropriately are intended to reward outstanding individual effort.

The House on Thursday approved legislation aimed at strengthening background checks on firearm sales and transfers, a leading priority for Democratic lawmakers. The Bipartisan Background Checks Act — spearheaded by Rep.

Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) “Universal background checks are a commonsense approach to address the gun violence epidemic plaguing our country. I’m proud to support the Background Check Expansion Act and look forward to passing it and other much-needed reforms.

Congressman Markwayne Mullin says Speaker Nancy Pelosi is trying to grab guns now that Democrats control Congress and the White House. “Gun owners across our country should be concerned about the future of our Second Amendment rights with Nancy Pelosi and her radical Democrats in control of the House,” said Mullin.

OKLAHOMA CITY –– A bill allowing boards of education to adopt policies authorizing school personnel to carry firearms on school campuses passed the Oklahoma House of Representatives last Tuesday evening.

Congratulations to the Hugo Buffaloes, both boys and girls teams, for their historic dual trip to the Oklahoma State basketball playoffs. It appears to be the only time in the school’s history that both teams have earned trips at the same time, so they are deserving of some major kudos.

OKLAHOMA CITY — Sen. Rob Standridge, R-Norman, has won approval from the full Senate for Senate Joint Resolution 23, calling for an Article V Convention of States to propose amendments to the U.S. Constitution. Standridge has advocated for a Convention of States for several years, and worked closely with his friend, the late U.S. Senator, Tom on the issue.