Weekly Column

Most Nebraskans remember when the Ice Bucket Challenge started three years ago. On television and social media sites, we watched entertaining videos of people of all ages pouring ice water on themselves and challenging their friends to do the same. Some of the videos made us laugh, others brought tears to our eyes, but they all highlighted ALS, also known as Lou Gehrig’s Disease, a terrible terminal illness.

In Scottsbluff, Kearney, Norfolk, Lincoln, and Omaha, my staff has years of experience and a strong track record of aiding constituents as they confront roadblocks. My offices often help Nebraskans with a broad array of problems, from struggling to acquire VA medical records or proper designation for their military pensions to trouble with Social Security and tax refunds owed by the IRS.

Pink is powerful, and this time of year we see a lot of it. On t-shirts, lapel pins, inside football stadiums, and throughout our neighborhoods, this October, bright bursts of pink will catch our eye. The vibrant pops of color signal an important and meaningful cause: raising breast cancer awareness.

In the coming weeks and months, Congress has a historic opportunity to revamp the nation’s broken and outdated tax code. This process began with an outline from the White House, the Senate, and the House of Representatives laying out the guiding principles for debate. The goals of the framework are two-fold: keep taxes fair and simple at home and make America more competitive.

In Omaha earlier this month, a group of Nebraskans joined together for an Out of the Darkness Walk to raise awareness of Suicide Prevention Week. The walkers participated for many reasons: some had a family member or friend who had committed suicide, others had experienced “the darkness” themselves. They all understood that sometimes what you need is a reminder that someone out there cares and wants to help.

The NDAA is an investment in our safety and our future, and it begins with addressing the readiness gaps that have materialized over the past decade when the Department of Defense was asked to do more with less. During testimony before the Armed Services Committee, Defense Secretary Jim Mattis stated, “I have been shocked by what I have seen about our readiness to fight.” Other military leaders have given the same assessment.

As the summer sun sets on another growing season, cooler weather is beginning to arrive. On Nebraska’s farms and ranches, corn and beans are drying, and calves are growing stronger. Like every fall, weather challenges may be just around the corner for our ag producers. These hardworking men and women of Nebraska are the unsung heroes of the American dinner table, and we are always ready for whatever obstacles we face. I keep this in mind as I promote common-sense policies for our nation’s agriculture industry.

** Click here to download audio of this week’s column** Over the month of August, I enjoyed visiting with Nebraskans in many communities across our state. A vital part of my job as your U.S. Senator is listening to your concerns and suggestions about solving the problems facing our country. Families, community leaders, ag producers, businesses owners, […]

Like most Americans, I recognize that infrastructure serves as a core purpose of the federal government. Recently, Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao visited Omaha to talk with Nebraskans about how best to fix our transportation. We both understand that building and expanding our nation’s infrastructure represents an investment in our economy, public safety, and national security. Broadband connects us to information we use on a daily basis. Airports keep families in touch and connect us to the world. Roads are more than lines on a map. They are a vision for the future.

Before the eclipse, the Great American Eclipse organization estimated between 166,000 and 416,000 travelers would come to our state. This gave Nebraskans the chance to do what we do best: offer a warm welcome to visitors from all across the world. We showed that no matter where you are from, Nebraskans know how to treat people with respect. We shared a slice of the “good life” with those who had never seen our open prairies or vast skies. We kindly greeted everyone who wanted to share our moment witnessing one of God’s beauties of nature with us.