Newsletter

May 31 2016

Honoring Their Memory

Dear Friend


This month, the Senate focused on appropriations bills to fund the government for the next year. Through this process of debate and amendments, Congress directs funding for different agencies and uses its oversight power to cut back on wasteful spending. These votes are important. They are how you hold me accountable. I have to decide which government programs to prioritize and which need to be cut. These are tough choices, but Nebraskans sent me to the Senate to make these hard decisions. I am pleased to see this process moving forward.

Earlier this week, I participated in a Memorial Day ceremony at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Omaha. I was proud to join Nebraskans and pay tribute to our veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice. Throughout the week, I continued my community coffees across the state, visiting Auburn, Falls City, Fairbury, Hebron, and York. Click here for more information on these events.

Finally, I would like to extend an invitation to our senior community for my office's second annual Senior Fair this Friday, June 3, 2016, in Omaha. Several organizations will be on hand to provide helpful guidance and informative resources for our senior citizens. Click here to read more about the Senior Fair and to view a full list of participating organizations.

I hope you had a wonderful Memorial Day weekend. Please scroll down for more news from my office for this month. 

 

Honoring Kerrie Orozco

 

May 20, 2016 marked one year since the death of Omaha Police Officer Kerrie Orozco, who was killed in the line of duty. Earlier this month, Kerrie's friends, family, and former colleagues traveled to our nation's capital to participate in several events to honor her life and service to our state. Senator Ben Sasse and I joined them, along with members of Omaha's First Responders Foundation, to lay a wreath at the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C. I also provided my own tribute in honor of Officer Orozco on the Senate floor and helped pass a joint resolution with Senator Sasse and Iowa Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst to honor her memory and service.


Click here or on the image above to view more photos.

 

Alleviating Burdens for Nebraska Producers

 

One of the burdensome regulations for Nebraska agriculture producers is the EPA's Spill Prevention, Control, and Countermeasure (SPCC) rule. This rule, which was intended for oil refineries, governs the amount of fuel storage producers may maintain on their property before costly requirements and penalties go into effect. I am fighting to ensure that Nebraska's agriculture community is exempted from this misguided rule. I have introduced theFarmers Undertake Environmental Land Stewardship (FUELS) Act in the Senate. Under the FUELS Act, Nebraska families would have lower costs and less federal red tape as they work to feed the world.

Speeding up Nebraska's VA Projects

 

Nebraska veterans have waited years for improvements to their medical facilities. To help accelerate this process, I introduced a bill this month that would allow the VA to enter into public-private partnerships for the planning, design, and construction of new facilities, including a facility in Omaha. Click here to read more about the bill.  

 

Paying Tribute to Marine Corporal Adrian Robles of Scottsbluff

 

I continued my tribute to Nebraska's fallen heroes by telling the story of Corporal Adrian Robles of Scottsbluff, Nebraska. Corporal Robles was killed in Helmand Province, Afghanistan in 2008 when his vehicle struck an Improvised Explosive Device. Adrian's unit had just two months remaining in its deployment. Corporal Robles embodied the strength and determination for which Nebraskans are known all over the world. I was honored to tell his story. To learn more about this hero and view my full remarks, click on the image below.


Photos of the Month

 


I joined officers of the Omaha Police Department earlier this month to lay a wreath at the National Law Enforcement Memorial in honor of Officer Kerrie Orozco. #KerrieOn #SupportBlue 

This month, I delivered the commencement address at Boys Town. Congratulations to the outstanding Class of 2016! 

The National Retail Federation presented me with the "Hero of Main Street" award for my work to advance policies that help Nebraska's small and large businesses.

I enjoyed meeting with students from Adams Central Public Schools in Hastings, Nebraska. The students visited the U.S. Capitol as part of the Close Up D.C. program.


At a special Memorial Day ceremony at Forest Lawn Cemetery in Omaha, we reflected on generations of brave Americans who died protecting
our nation.


It was great to see University of Nebraska-Lincoln Chancellor-Elect Ronnie Green during his visit to the Senate this month. #GBR

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