Weekly Column

Federal agencies continue to roll out costly regulations that jeopardize the economic security and livelihood of Nebraska families. For example, regulations from Washington are directly responsible for 25 percent of the costs associated with building a new home. This shocking statistic was revealed at a field hearing of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee I chaired in Lincoln earlier this year.

Nebraska has a rich history of military service. Civil War veterans helped settle the state of Nebraska. Black Jack Pershing developed the University of Nebraska ROTC program before going on to lead American forces in World War I. From the shores of Normandy and Iwo Jima to the jungles of Vietnam and the deserts of Iraq and Afghanistan, Nebraskans have served our country with honor.

I recently returned to the halls of my high school. It’s been quite a few years since I attended Lincoln Southeast High School as a student, and I was delighted to learn of the wonderful opportunities for current students from Principal Brent Toalson.

More and more of us read tweets and use apps on our smartphones and tablets. Meanwhile, Fitbits track our exercise, and before we know it, similar technology will be monitoring the health of cattle roaming across the American heartland. If there’s not an “app” for something already, someone is likely developing one somewhere at this very moment.

In this week’s column, I would like to highlight the past week of activities in the Armed Services Committee. Through my role on this committee, I have been honored to work with the men and women of our military to ensure they have the tools and resources they need to successfully protect our nation, complete their missions, and safely return home.

The color pink. We see it around Valentine’s Day in the hues of budding flowers at springtime and on the walls of nurseries in households across the country. But the color pink is never more evident, or powerful, than during the month of October.

The message Pope Francis delivered was moving, and I believe it connects with all Americans. We all understand the need to care for one another. We are all entrusted with the responsibility to care for the least among us. We need to care for our world. We must respect life, religious freedom, and liberty. This universal message of compassion is powerful and should be taken to heart.

President Obama’s deal neither advances nor protects America’s interests. I am troubled by both the broad scale and highly technical aspects of this deal. The fact that inspectors will not have the access to the sites they need to verify Iran’s compliance with this agreement is alarming. Furthermore, I do not believe there is an effective mechanism for punishing Iran, if and when they violate this agreement.

The school year is in full swing. Backpacks are loaded, classrooms are full, and teachers are busy planning their next lesson. Each morning, when we see the friendly and familiar yellow school bus riding through our neighborhoods, we are reminded that the next generation of leaders are headed off to gain knowledge and the tools they need for success.

In August, I spent four productive weeks working back home in Nebraska. From Omaha to Scottsbluff, I logged over 2,400 miles traveling across our beautiful state. Our wonderful people and communities show why we call this the good life. It is truly a privilege to listen to you and hear what’s on your minds.