Billy Long: Donald Trump's speech was unifying and encouraging

(From Seventh District Congressman Billy Long)

President Trump’s speech to a Joint Session of Congress was both unifying and encouraging. After 8 years of overregulation, a weak national security and a failing health care system, I am confident that the coming years will be much different. Trump laid out an optimistic vision for the nation that will allow for a strong national security, quality education, a free market health care system and an economy that works for the people.

Van Jones, a long-time critic of Trump, even had kind words to say following the President’s speech and the moving moment when Trump spoke to the widow of fallen Navy Seal, William “Ryan” Owens.

With just a little over a month in office, Trump has eased the burden of regulation on small businesses, kept his promise on making national security remains a top priority and continues to push for the repeal and replacement of Obamacare.

President Trump understands that the people deserve choices when it comes to health insurance. Instead of the government “mandating” that every American buy what the government says is “quality” health insurance, he understands the importance of making sure it should be up to the people. He called on Congress to act quickly, and as a member of the Energy and Commerce Committee, that is what I intend to do.

Along with making sure that the American people have access to high quality health insurance, the president made a point to address that education is “the civil rights issue of our time.” He began to tell the story of Denisha Merriweather who failed the third grade twice. Now, after having access to system that works for her rather than against her, she not only graduated high school and college, but later this year she will get her masters degree in social work.

Every child deserves access to an education that provides them the tools needed to be successful in the 21st century. With continual federal overreach in education as we have had in the past, I am confident that Trump will make good on his promise and give power back to both the state and local districts.

Finally, Trump not only talked about having a strong military, but making sure that those men and women are taken care of. As Trump said the other night, “Our veterans have delivered for this nation – and now we must deliver fort them.”

I look forward to working with President Trump in the coming years and I’m confident that effective change will take place that will have a positive and lasting impact on this great nation.