Weekly Column

Every year my office welcomes new interns, both in Nebraska and on Capitol Hill. Throughout my time in the Senate, the interns who have served in my office have proven to be invaluable. They are often the first person you meet when Nebraskans come to share their opinions with me. Their assistance helps me better serve our state.

We often hear that Congress can’t work together, or that Republicans and Democrats are unable to find compromises on behalf of the American people. While there are days when that seems true, I want to highlight a few recent cases where I have joined with my colleagues on the other side of the aisle to pass meaningful legislation to help the lives of Nebraskans. I think they prove that when we work together, Congress can be effective.

Since the beginning of the new Congress, senators have been meeting to determine the best way to repeal Obamacare. Nebraskans know this law is unsustainable. For too many families, health care has become unaffordable. According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, premiums in Nebraska increased 153 percent from 2013-2017. CoOportunity collapsed, leaving 80,000 Nebraskans to face tough decisions about their insurance coverage. Just like our neighbors in Iowa, our state has only one insurer offering individual plans.

We cherish veterans in Nebraska. Whether it’s raising money to help those who fought in Vietnam fly to Washington for an Honor Flight or working to build lasting monuments across our state to remember those who served, we recognize our duty to highlight the honor, courage, and sacrifice of our veterans. Nebraskans also understand the value of having veterans tell their stories. We know that young people can learn from the passed-down knowledge offered by those who served, along with those who supported them. This learning can help the next generation carry on the freedoms and traditions our former warfighters

Americans deserve to know how federal rules will affect their lives, and bureaucrats should always announce to the public the cost of their actions on the economy. Recently, Senator James Lankford (R-Ok.) and I reintroduced the Unfunded Mandates and Information Transparency Act. This regulatory reform bill would close loopholes that allow federal agencies to impose mandates on states, local governments, and the private sector without first providing a transparent accounting of their costs. This allows those who will be bound by new regulations to better understand what the impact of these new rules will be.

While Americans prepared to celebrate Independence Day, Kim Jong-un reminded the world of his determination to build weapons capable of striking the American homeland. On July 3rd, North Korea announced it successfully conducted an intercontinental ballistic missile test. U.S. military officials are assessing all the facts, but it appears Pyongyang is significantly closer to developing a missile that could reach the continental United States.

Beef sizzling on the grill, laughter and conversation with friends and family by a bonfire, and fireworks booming in the night sky. Americans all over our great country are celebrating our nation’s independence. Throughout our history, the Fourth of July has offered us a chance to reflect on the things that bring us together. It stands as a reminder that our shared values are why we live in an exceptional nation.

Nebraska airports connect us to the things that matter most: our families, our friends, and our communities. They also allow us to explore the country and the world, run successful businesses, and spread Nebraska kindness all around the globe. Our regional and small airports let us compete in a global economy while feeding the world. Without these facilities, many Nebraskans would be hundreds of miles and hours away from their next flight.

When I first arrived to the Senate, I joined a bipartisan gathering in Senator Amy Klobuchar’s (D-Minn.) office to discuss renewable energy. Several of my colleagues, from both parties, attended. In that meeting, we laid the groundwork for including renewable fuels in our nation’s all-of-the-above energy strategy and made a commitment to not let partisanship get in the way of positive solutions for American families. We made a strong connection: all of us wanted to work together to advance environmentally-friendly fuel options for American consumers.

Nebraskans know how to honor veterans. Our state’s strong commitment to the men and women who serve was on full display in May, when we came together to carry out the largest honor flight for Vietnam Veterans in history. The trip was made possible by the generosity of Nebraskans from all across our state, young and old.