Is unity really possible?

On Jan. 20, the world looked on as Americans witnessed our country’s 46th peaceful transfer of power — the hallmark of our great democracy. After President Biden’s Inaugural Address, many Americans are asking the same question: Is unity really possible?

With Democrats controlling the White House, Senate and House, it’s crucial that Republicans hold them accountable when needed and work with them when a compromise is in reach. As the nation battles COVID-19, I believe there are issues both sides of the aisle can tackle together:

• Ensuring small businesses survive the economic shutdowns
• Getting students back in school
• Holding Communist China accountable

Small businesses are the backbone of the American economy, but after close to a year of lockdown’s and restrictions, it’s no surprise that they have suffered severely during the pandemic. We need to continue to deliver the appropriate aid to keep these businesses afloat until our economy can return to normal. After all, these businesses are closed at no fault of their own. As we continue down the road to recovery, my colleagues and I need to implement a pro-growth agenda that puts American workers and small businesses back in the driver’s seat. Prior to the pandemic, our nation was experiencing the best economy we have seen in decades. That success was primarily due to unprecedented pro-growth tax policies, deregulation, and prioritizing American investment. This will be the roadmap to our economic recovery. After talking with small businesses across my district, one thing is clear; they don’t want perpetual government handouts. They want to be able to hang that “We Are Open” sign on their front door when this is all over.

Congress also needs to focus on getting our students back in the classroom. The overwhelming scientific evidence is clear as day. Distance learning is failing students from coast to coast and widening an already growing achievement gap. Students are barely showing up, and the ones are sticking it out on Zoom are failing at rates we could not have imagined a year ago. As a member of the Education and Labor Committee, I see firsthand the negative effects shutting down our schools has had on student’s learning, mental health, and well-being. This isn’t a partisan issue, it is a moral one. Instead of putting the teacher’s union above our students and immediately shutting down in-person education, Democrats should work with Republicans to find ways to safely open our schools and get teachers and students back in an environment they can succeed in. We owe it to the future leaders of our country that they get the education they deserve.

Communist China is the No. 1 national security threat facing our nation. We cannot afford to sit back and assume the human rights violations, genocide, economic espionage, and authoritarianism will simply subside. Luckily, Congress already has a bipartisan blueprint to work off. The China Task Force has outlined over 100 policy proposals that are crucial in holding Communist China accountable for their dangerous behavior and securing America’s prominence on the world stage. For far too long, we have relied on China as an essential part of our supply chain. For the sake of our national security, that needs to change. I have already worked in a bipartisan manner on this subject, getting important safeguards for critical infrastructure into law. We need to bring manufacturing back home to the United States and invest in onshoring research and innovation. The world is watching, and I am committed to working with my Foreign Affairs colleagues on both sides of the aisle to be a united front against President Xi Jinping and the Chinese Communist Party.

Since occupying the oval, President Biden has pushed divisive policies to diminish American energy independence, kill American jobs and divide us even further. Although this is not the bipartisan effort I was hoping for out of the gate, I am optimistic about our future, and it’s my hope that we can come together, not as Democrats and Republicans, but as Americans. Is unity really possible? On these issues, I believe it is.

Ron Wright represents the 6th District of Texas. He serves on the Foreign Affairs Committee and Education and Labor Committee.