IN OTHER NEWS …

Pressing for Answers and Accountability at the IRS
I wrote IRS Commissioner John Koskinen regarding a recent Treasury report showing a number of IRS employees received bonuses despite being cited for misconduct – including failure to pay taxes.  Rather than rewarding government employees for bad behavior, the IRS should fire these tax delinquents, pursuant to current law. I will continue to demand accountability for this mismanagement at the IRS… http://1.usa.gov/1gYcoGC

Improving Job Training to Get Americans Back to Work
I remain focused on helping unemployed Americans find good-paying jobs.  I introduced an amendment that would have helped local job training centers provide men and women with tools to start their own businesses. Unfortunately the Senate Majority Leader did now allow a vote on my commonsense measure… http://1.usa.gov/1lDl5va

Another proposal I offered this month to address gender-based pay discrimination included a provision to help close the job opportunity gap. This measure would help provide men and women with skills to grow and compete in industries that report worker shortages due to a lack of candidates with the necessary training… http://1.usa.gov/1iuQhrA

Encouraging Businesses to Hire More Veterans
I’m working on creative ways to encourage small business owners to hire veterans. The Hire More Heroes Act would provide incentives to job creators by removing one of the burdensome requirements of ObamaCare preventing small businesses from hiring… http://1.usa.gov/1ftTA7B

Protecting Producers from More Heavy-Handed Regulation
I recently joined several of my colleagues in urging USDA, DOE, and EPA to refrain from pursuing regulations on livestock emissions as part of the administration’s climate change plan. The agriculture community works hard to protect our natural resources. More heavy-handed regulations will only create unnecessary burdens and increase costs for consumers… http://1.usa.gov/Sbpj2U

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT…IN THE NEWS

Roll Call reports on my efforts to strengthen the principle of equal pay for equal work and close the job opportunity gap … http://bit.ly/Se1A22

Nebraska Radio Network highlights my interview on KLIN discussing how IRS employees who have not paid their taxes should be held accountable, not rewarded with wrongful bonuses ... http://bit.ly/1miFFiS

Beatrice Daily Sun features my column explaining how ObamaCare is hurting Americans’ access to quality health care … http://bit.ly/1mhTwdE

I appreciated the opportunity to take part in the groundbreaking ceremony for Lexington Regional Health Center’s new addition. Sandhills Express recaps this exciting event here  … http://bit.ly/1u9n3aL

My column discussing the need for a simpler, fairer tax code appears in the Kearney Hub … http://bit.ly/1hWXrIW

PHOTOS OF THE MONTH

Senator Johanns and I met with students from North Bend, Milford, and Clearwater Orchard high schools during their weeklong Close-Up trip to Washington, D.C.

The Senate Armed Services Committee held a hearing with military leaders to discuss budget requests and defense priorities for the upcoming fiscal year.  

During the Senate’s recent state work period, I spent time in 15 communities across eastern and south central Nebraska. I held an open coffee in Red Cloud, where I was able to speak directly with Nebraskans about the concerns and issues on their minds.

I also enjoyed having lunch and discussing education issues with student leaders and faculty at Alma Public Schools.