Weekly Column

Some of you may be unfamiliar with this new policy change, which will expand the definition of “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) under the Clean Water Act. Through this rule, known as WOTUS, the federal government can now regulate almost any water, from prairie potholes to farm ditches and everything in between. This is federal overreach at an absurd new level.

As we begin the final half of 2015, I am proud to be part of this new majority – one that is more efficient, more productive, and more accountable to the American people. This year alone, over 80 bipartisan bills have passed the Senate. Thirty-one of these bills have been signed into law, including legislation to expand trade, a bill to bring justice to the perpetrators of human trafficking, and a bill that requires Congress to have a say in the Iran nuclear agreement.

On August 3, 2015, President Obama finalized new Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) regulations. This rule, known as the Clean Power Plan, attempts to reduce our state’s carbon emissions by 40 percent through punishing mandates. For Nebraska, this rule is even worse than initially expected. In fact, we are one of the “biggest losers” under the administration’s final rule because the reductions goals for our state are 50 percent more stringent than they were in the proposed rule.

** There will not be audio of the column until Tuesday, September 8, due to the Nebraska state work period**  The dog days of summer are upon us. Families in Nebraska are enjoying the final few days of vacation before children head back to school and the crisp fall air rolls in. This time of year is […]

In the U.S. Senate, I am a cosponsor of a similar bill, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act. According to numerous studies and medical experts, this is the point at which unborn children are capable of feeling pain. The majority of the American people support limits on late term abortions. This reasonable policy adopted by the Nebraska legislature should now be adopted at the federal level.

Nebraskans understand how important infrastructure is to the local economy and their daily lives. I have spoken with many families, consumers, and business owners in our state. The message is loud and clear: Nebraskans want to see local projects completed and prioritized, not stalled because of red tape and partisan politics.

Like many of you, I am concerned that the Obama administration has conceded too much in this deal. The president stated that we “give nothing up” by “testing” this agreement’s ability to halt Iran’s nuclear ambitions. I disagree with this assessment.

This summer, parents across the country are preparing their children for the coming school year. Whether unwinding on a family break, purchasing school supplies, returning summer reading books to the library, or finishing summer camp, it’s almost time to go back to school. We owe so much to our nation’s hardworking educators. They are the role models for our children, providing invaluable life lessons that go well beyond reading, writing, and arithmetic.

From Scottsbluff to Omaha, and all across America, our economy is growing and rapidly changing. 21st Century connections are allowing businesses to compete and communicate in unique and exciting new ways. We are fortunate to live in an age where the small-town architect can send his designs anywhere, the forward-looking farmer can watch the commodity markets and plan out his season, and the rural business owner can execute an idea to create jobs without leaving home. One thing is for sure – Nebraska stands to benefit from the Internet revolution.

**Due to the Senate’s state work period, there is no audio for this week’s column** Last week in Fremont, I had the opportunity to greet Army Reserve soldiers as they prepared for deployment. These brave men and women make tremendous sacrifices and face real danger while protecting our country. They are ready when called upon. […]