Weekly Column

Staying in touch with Nebraskans is the best – and most important – part of my job. It is my responsibility to listen and provide you with opportunities to voice your concerns. I am in Nebraska nearly every weekend, and I have fantastic staff in the state who represent me when I am carrying out my official duties in Washington. Together we strive each and every day to ensure that we are working for you.

Recently, I had the privilege of visiting the community of Pilger. It’s hard to believe that only a year ago, twin tornadoes struck this community causing heartbreaking devastation. The past year has been tough. The town was literally and figuratively torn apart – nearly half the buildings and businesses were damaged. Pilger was battered, but not broken.

For each of the last 53 years, Congress has passed the National Defense Authorization Act, also known as the NDAA. I was proud to support this tradition by working with my colleagues on the Senate Armed Services Committee to pass the fiscal year 2016 NDAA out of committee a few weeks ago. This bill is the result of a bipartisan compromise to perform the most important function of the federal government: providing for the national defense.

Nebraska feeds the world. Our farmers, ranchers, and manufacturers generate products that are used and consumed nearly everywhere – from restaurants in Los Angeles and New York City to dinner tables in South America, Europe, and Asia.

Over the past few years, electricity rates across Nebraska have been on the rise. With these additional costs come financial burdens to Nebraska families and businesses. But more dramatic increases loom on the horizon due to unprecedented overreach by the federal government. From Omaha to the Panhandle, and everywhere in between, Nebraskans feel the impact […]

Memorial Day is a special time to honor our nation’s servicemen and women who have made the ultimate sacrifice fighting for the freedom we enjoy today. Nebraskans will soon gather with family and friends in observance of this important holiday. From backyard barbeques and parades to ceremonies at the final resting places of the fallen, we must show our gratitude and remember the meaning of Memorial Day.

As Americans, we owe an enormous debt of gratitude to our veterans. Last week, we celebrated the 70th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. As we watched vintage airplanes soar over the U.S. Capitol last week, it brought to mind the countless heroes who gave their lives so we could live in freedom. Earlier this month, I was honored to help welcome home current service members of the Nebraska Army National Guard, who were returning from deployment in Kuwait.

A month ago, congressional review of any agreement with Iran was portrayed as controversial or even unnecessary. Now, that idea has broad bipartisan support, something even the White House has been forced to accept. However, even as we consider legislation regarding this deal, troubling signs continue to emerge.

Our government has a responsibility to stand up and act for those whose voices grow weak in the shadows of an imperfect world. We simply cannot choose to look the other way.

This year, Nebraskans once again spent far too much time, energy, and money filling out complicated paperwork in order to get their taxes filed correctly and on time. This process not only causes frustration, it also creates financial hardships on families and businesses in Nebraska and across our nation.