In 1981, then-President-elect Ronald Reagan decided to move the Presidential Inauguration to the West Front of the Capitol (previously held on the east side of the Capitol) because he wanted to take the Oath facing his home state of California. This was a wise decision by a wise man; the setting overlooking the National Mall is always breathtaking.  But it is even more awe-inspiring when it is full of people who have descended upon it to witness the peaceful transition of power, the hallmark of our democracy.

Through free elections the American people determine the makeup of our government. No other country on the face of the earth can boast centuries of free, democratic elections like we can.

Friday's Inauguration, like everyone before it, was a reminder of this, and it was an honor to share the presidential platform with President Jimmy Carter, President Bill Clinton, President George W. Bush, and President Barack Obama as we all witnessed President Donald Trump swear his allegiance to our Nation and its Constitution.

During his address to the Nation, President Trump echoed the themes that the American people have made clear they expect from their government, and I am looking forward to beginning our work together to accomplish pro-growth, good government policies.

Already in the first days of his administration, the president is taking action by putting an end to bad regulatory policy,  reassessing American trade strategy by pulling out of the Trans-Pacific Partnership (TPP), working with Mexico and Canada to reconsider aspects of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA), moving toward North American energy independence by advancing Keystone XL, strengthening border security, and providing relief from some of the burdens of the Affordable Care Act.

The first 100 days will be a measuring stick for what our unified government can accomplish. As we work toward achieving our many goals, I encourage you to reach out to me and provide me your thoughts on my Facebook page.

Sincerely,

Representative French Hill

“In his first week on the job, President Trump is proving that he is serious about North American energy independence, job growth, and private infrastructure spending. Keystone has already produced over 600 jobs in central Arkansas and would create thousands of ready-to-launch private sector American jobs, while having a minimal impact on the environment. These are the pro-growth decisions that the president promised the American people, and I will continue to work with him to support American energy and job growth.”