Catching Up With Congress: Kevin Hern Passes on a Run for Open U.S. Senate Seat

In the year 2022, U.S. Representative Kevin Hern filed for a third term in the House of Representatives, foregoing the opportunity to compete for an open U.S. Senate seat in Oklahoma. After serving nearly four years in the House, Hern aimed to take on more influential policy roles in his next term, rather than starting anew in the Senate.

In an interview with The Frontier, Hern expressed his focus on influencing federal fiscal policy, particularly by advocating for a balanced budget, addressing government spending, and tackling healthcare costs. He highlighted the impact of healthcare expenses on the economy and emphasized the need to address this issue despite it receiving less attention in political discussions of the past.

In terms of committee assignments, Hern's ambition led him to seek a position on the powerful Ways and Means Committee, which handled taxation, tariffs, and Social Security. He successfully secured a position on the committee during his second term. Additionally, after his re-election in 2020, he was appointed as the chairman of the Budget and Spending Task Force for the Republican Study Committee, the largest caucus in the House.

Hern acknowledged in the interview that achieving his goals would face obstacles while President Joe Biden serves in the office. However, he saw this as an opportunity to learn how to work collaboratively, pass legislation, and persuade individuals across party lines about the merits of good policies.

In the past, Hern has faced controversies concerning stock trading. He ranks among the top traders in Congress, according to Capitol Trades. Reports indicate that his trust purchased energy stocks while criticizing President Biden's energy policies. Hern expressed openness to measures that would restrict congressional trading or enhance reporting requirements. While he does not advocate for an outright ban, he supports more restrictive measures and increased reporting frequency.