The devastation throughout northeast Nebraska from recent tornadoes and severe weather is beyond heartbreaking. I visited many of the communities impacted by the storms to meet with these families. I was tremendously inspired by their strength and the resolve they expressed to rebuild, recover, and move forward in these very difficult circumstances.

I found a symbol of this resilience in the empty footprint of Eric and Mary Von Seggern’s home – a simple sign that said “Family.” The roof, walls, and contents of the house were gone, but the sign remained. Despite the destruction of buildings, the bonds of community and family remain unshaken. Nebraskans are strong, and our neighbors in northeast Nebraska are among the strongest. With our help, they will rebuild; they will recover.

Click HERE or the below image to see the photos of my time in these communities.

IN OTHER NEWS ...

Getting Our Nation's Veterans the Care They Deserve
This month, the Senate passed legislation I supported that would give veterans waiting for medical appointments access to the care they were promised. The bill also implements necessary reforms to strengthen accountability and transparency at the VA. While the bill signals progress, there is a long road ahead to fix the failures and mismanagement at the VA. I will continue to work with my colleagues to execute oversight and advance efforts to repair this badly broken system so our nation's veterans can receive the treatment they deserve...http://1.usa.gov/1mihHCi

More Access to Capital, More Access to Opportunity
Restricted access to capital is a significant obstacle holding back too many ambitious entrepreneurs from building and growing successful small businesses. I introduced the Access Act to foster greater opportunity for men and women with limited financial resources to pursue the American dream. The bill would provide enhanced access to working capital for those seeking to start their own businesses. More access to capital means more access to opportunity for families to climb out of poverty and strengthen our communities...http://1.usa.gov/1vRXvyJ

Promoting Honest Government Accounting
If we are ever going to make any meaningful progress toward balancing the federal budget, we must be honest and transparent in our accounting. I introduced legislation to get rid of budget gimmicks that hide the true costs of government spending. Even for a wasteful federal government, such spending tricks totaling hundreds of billions of dollars are shocking. They also leave taxpayers on the hook to foot the bill....http://1.usa.gov/1vaBSYe

Getting Americans Back to Work
The Senate passed The Workforce Innovation and Opportunity Act, a bill I cosponsored to equip unemployed Americans with the skills and training they need to find good-paying jobs. It improves workforce development and job training programs by enhancing the role of states, reducing burdensome federal requirements, and cutting waste and duplication. With nearly 10 million Americans still looking for work, these are exactly the type of constructive, bipartisan proposals the Senate should be focused on....http://1.usa.gov/1johihF
 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT ... IN THE NEWS

KOTA Territory News features my efforts to extend the comment period for EPA's proposed regulations on coal-fired power plants. I was pleased the EPA announced it would extend the comment period until October. I encourage all Nebraskans to contact the EPA to offer their thoughts on the impact of these proposed regulations on their families and businesses...http://bit.ly/1jomp1m

Nebraska Radio Network highlights my bill that would strengthen existing financial services to give aspiring entrepreneurs greater access to capital and greater access to opportunity...http://bit.ly/URszSu

My column on EPA overreach and its proposed rule under the Clean Water Act to define "waters of the U.S." appears in the Beatrice Daily Sun...http://bit.ly/1pERW2N

KTIV reports on my time in northeast Nebraska to speak with the families and visit the communities impacted by the devastating tornado damage...http://bit.ly/1nIFMVr

PHOTOS OF THE MONTH

I had a great discussion on agriculture issues with the Wisner-Pilger FFA students who were in Washington for their annual leadership conference.

It was a great privilege to honor the extraordinary bravery of First Lieutenant Donald Schwab of Hooper, Nebraska, who received the Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroic acts of service during World War II. Pictured here is Donald Schwab's widow, Maralee, who attended the ceremony along with Senator Johanns and many other guests at the Capitol in Lincoln on June 8.

Glad to see this bright group of Omaha students from Duchesne Academy; they traveled to Washington, D.C., through the Close Up program.