Newsletter

Aug 31 2018

August Results

Dear Friends,

This past month in the Senate, we've been hard at work confirming President Trump's judicial nominees. We also passed a defense authorization bill that gives our troops a pay raise, and we have been working through major bills to fund government programs. 

On the weekends, I've been in Nebraska visiting with folks and listening closely to what they have to say. It's been great touring our hospitals and local businesses and hearing about the issues that are at the forefront of Nebraskans' minds. 

I hope you and your family have a wonderful Labor Day Weekend! Please continue reading for more updates from this month.  

Supporting Our Nebraska Veterans 


We owe it to our veterans to make sure they receive quality care, without having to pay for the mistakes of a Washington, D.C. bureaucracy. Today many of our nation's veterans and their families have been accidentally overpaid by the VA, only to later find they owe money back. I've introduced a bipartisan solution that would help veterans navigate these confusing cases and take steps to address the issue of overpayments in the first place. This is a common-sense bill that our veterans need, and it has support from both sides of the aisle.

Read more about the Veterans Fair Debt Notice Act.

An Update on Trade with Mexico


President Donald Trump recently announced a two-way trade agreement between the U.S. and Mexico, and it's a step in the right direction. I'm pleased to see the president make good on his promise to provide better certainty for our farmers and ranchers. I'm hopeful this agreement will send a positive signal to our other NAFTA partner, Canada, that the U.S. is committed to modernizing our trade agreements. 

Providing Closure to Families of MIA/POW Service Members


This month, the Senate passed my amendment to provide additional funds to help process the remains of Americans who fought in the Korean War. These additional funds would make sure the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) lab in Hawaii has the adequate funding to complete this new project and prevent resources from being directed away from the DPAA lab at Offutt Air Force Base. This measure would properly honor the memory of our missing and fallen service members. 

Relief for Livestock Haulers 


Nebraskans who transport livestock face unique challenges. The Senate recently took action to provide relief for these haulers by passing my amendment that would extend ELD waivers for livestock haulers by one year. I was proud to work closely with Senate Commerce Committee leadership, Chairman John Thune and Ranking Member Bill Nelson, to provide practical rules and additional flexibility to people who feed the world. 

Photos of the Month


It was an honor to participate in the ribbon cutting ceremony at the new Central Nebraska Veterans
Home. This beautiful facility will provide 225 beds for our veterans and deliver the quality care they
deserve.


Thanks to the folks at Smithfield Foods for showing me around their facility in Crete. They are the
world’s largest pork processor.  


With a heavy heart we mourned the loss of a national treasure, Senator John McCain. From his
days as a war hero, to his leadership on the Senate Armed Services Committee, and his years
of dedicated service to the people of Arizona, Senator McCain’s indomitable spirit and love for
country had no match. In the photo above, Senator McCain and were I wait to address the press
on the National Defense Authorization Act. 


It was so much fun to visit with young women from the Middle East and North Africa during the
Senate Tech Girls program. I love working with groups that encourage and empower young
women to continue their education in STEM.


At the White House, I joined a group of Nebraska county officials and provided an update on
agriculture, appropriations bills, and broadband. Working together, we can continue to accomplish
good things for our families and our state. 


In Beatrice, it was a privilege to present the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart to the family
of World War II veteran, Private Lester Power, who was killed during the Battle of the Bulge in 1944. 

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