This week, Americans looked to Washington as President Obama delivered his State of the Union address to Congress. It was encouraging to hear the president place a priority on providing more opportunity for middle class families. Unfortunately, many of the president’s policy prescriptions miss the mark, reflecting a partisan agenda rather than initiatives that could actually garner bipartisan support.

Divisive politics have taken their toll. From promoting burdensome EPA regulations impacting all Nebraskans, to advancing a reactionary foreign policy that has shaken the faith of our allies, this administration has lost its way. We need a change of course, and as the president once noted, elections have consequences.

Unfortunately, each day we see more policies coming out of this White House that attempt to wield greater power and control for the federal government. Just last week we saw President Obama fly to Iowa where he touted a new federal takeover of state laws governing broadband and the Internet.

In Nebraska, we already have laws on the books that govern broadband access. During my own time in the Nebraska Legislature, we worked diligently to craft prudent policies that are now having a positive impact across our state. Nebraskans should have a say in this debate and I would hope President Obama will want to hear their views. These Washington-centric solutions set a dangerous precedent and have real consequences for local communities and businesses. 

I am also committed to finding creative ways to provide more flexibility for working families. Last July, I introduced bipartisan legislation with Senator Angus King (I-Maine) to encourage employers to voluntarily offer paid family and medical leave. Importantly, our bill does not include costly one-size-fits-all mandates from Washington. Instead, it offers a tax incentive for employers to provide workers – particularly low-wage, hourly workers – the chance to have paid time off.

This plan can make a difference, and I believe it could also realistically pass Congress.

My priorities remain the same: bolstering our national security – which is closely tied to promoting our economic security - reducing regulatory burdens on families, improving our nation’s outdated infrastructure, and promoting innovation and economic growth. These are the core duties of a responsible federal government, and this is where we must focus in the year ahead.

I would also like to provide you with a brief update on my efforts to hold the federal government more accountable. Since news broke in 2013 that the IRS had been unfairly targeting conservatives, I have been working to rein in this agency. I recently reintroduced a bill to ensure that taxpayers’ privacy and beliefs are safeguarded, regardless of their ideology. The Taxpayer Accountability Act touches on a very basic principle – that Nebraskans and all Americans have the absolute right to expect the IRS to be free from political influence, with taxpayers treated fairly and enforcement carried out in an unbiased manner. This legislation protects the constitutional rights of taxpayers, increases transparency, and forces accountability at the IRS - which has a long way to go to regain credibility and restore public trust. 

With your help, we can move our nation forward and pave the way toward new prosperity for our children and grandchildren.

Thank you for participating in the democratic process and I look forward to visiting with you again next week.