Weekly Column

Albert Einstein once said that the definition of insanity is “doing the same thing over and over again and expecting different results.” Recent history shows that leaders in Washington seem to have forgotten this pearl of wisdom. A failure in leadership has forced our nation into yet another manufactured fiscal crisis. The so-called sequester is scheduled to go into effect, cutting federal funding across the board rather than targeting wasteful spending.

In less than a week, automatic “across-the-board” budget cuts will go into effect, dangerously slashing the defense budget as well as jeopardizing thousands of American jobs. While Nebraskans know we must cut out-of-control government spending, I believe we should sensibly target these cuts at wasteful federal programs, not critical national security priorities.

Like many Nebraskans, I watched the president’s State of the Unionaddress hoping we would hear specific policy proposals to address our nation’songoing economic challenges, including our $16 trillion national debt. I was disappointed that instead of offering realistic ideas to cutgovernment spending, the president focused his speech on plans to increase spending under the pretext […]

For far too long, the federal government’s reach has extended more and more into the everyday lives of citizens and businesses across Nebraska. Constituents often share with me, both in my office and as I travel the state, that we have got to get to work cutting all of the red tape coming out of Washington.

The last time the Senate passed a budget resolution was on April 29, 2009, or nearly 1,400 days ago. Think about it: the last time the Senate passed a budget, the iPad didn’t even exist. Nebraskans understand that the only way to get our fiscal house in order is to get government spending under control. […]

I recently concluded an official trip to the Middle East, where I visited Israel and Afghanistan along with four of my Senate colleagues. The purpose of the trip was to meet with military and political leaders to discuss the many challenges facing our allies and troops in the region. We began the visit in Israel […]

On January 3, I had the privilege of taking the oath of office and becoming Nebraska’s 39th United States Senator. I am grateful that members of my family and so many friends traveled from Nebraska to share this special day, and I am honored by the trust placed in me by Nebraskans. I am also thankful […]