Dear Friends,

This week, I convened my first hearing as the Chairman of the Senate Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security for the 114th Congress. I was glad to invite three witnesses from Nebraska-based companies to testify at the hearing: Jim Mullen of Werner Enterprises, Lance Fritz of Union Pacific Railroad, and Douglas Means of Cabela’s.    

The hearing was an exciting opportunity to discuss the future of our nation’s transportation policy. We need bipartisan, commonsense solutions to address our country’s transportation challenges while ensuring that our economy continues to thrive. I look forward to continuing these discussions and working with the private sector to engage in new policies that will grow our economy and improve safety for commuters in Nebraska and across the country. Click here to read more about the hearing, courtesy of the Omaha World-Herald.  

Seated left to right: Jim Mullen, Executive Vice President and General Counsel, Werner Enterprises in Omaha; Lance Fritz, President and Chief Operating Officer, Union Pacific Railroad in Omaha; Douglas Means, Executive Vice President and Chief Supply Chain Officer, Cabela’s in Sidney; Ed Rendell, Co-Chair, Building America’s Future and former Governor of Pennsylvania.

IN OTHER NEWS

Bringing Transparency to Unfunded Mandates

Earlier this month, I joined Senator James Lankford (R-OK) to introduce the Unfunded Mandates Information and Transparency Act– a bill that would reveal the true costs of burdensome federal regulations that are affecting our states and localities. Our citizens deserve a full and accurate accounting of their tax dollars, and federal agencies should be required to justify their expenditures.Click here to watch a video of my floor speech on the bill. 

Commemorating the 100^th Anniversary of Boys Town

For nearly 100 years, Boys Town has been improving the lives of young people and families in vulnerable situations. This week, I introduced legislation that would authorize the secretary of the Treasury to mint $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins and half-dollar clad coins in honor of Boys Town’s 100th anniversary.  Nebraska is proud to be home to this life-changing nonprofit and I’m pleased to renew my support for legislation that will commemorate this important milestone for Boys Town.

Enabling Parents to Earn More for Their Children’s Education

Also this month, I reintroduced the Allocation for Children’s Education (ACE) Act, a bill that would increase the contribution limit for Coverdell Education Savings Accounts. Earning a degree is one of the most important investments our children can make for their future success. But, as our economy struggles to grow, families in Nebraska and across the country find it increasingly difficult to save.  Our children and grandchildren need the ability to earn a solid foundation for their future, and this bill will give families greater flexibility to make this a reality.