Dear Friend, 

Over the past five years as your U.S. senator, I've held over 70 Listening Sessions across our state, in communities small and large. This month, I was pleased to hold two of these sessions in Kearney and Holdrege. Both lasted two hours and were filled with a great exchange of ideas from all sides. I'm grateful to all of the Nebraskans who participated in these forums.

It's important to me to maintain a respectful, civil dialogue about the issues affecting you and your family. I look forward to continuing these conversations with you as the year goes on.

Scroll down for more news from my office.

Cutting-out Wasteful Government Spending

In a bipartisan effort to root out waste in our government, I recently joined Senators Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) and Dean Heller (R-Nev.) to reintroduce the Stop Improper Federal Bonuses Act. This legislation would prohibit bonus pay for federal employees who commit major infractions under their agency's code of conduct. It would also require employees who engage in egregious misconduct to repay their bonuses.

It's my job to ensure Nebraskans' hard-earned tax dollars are used wisely. Federal employees who have broken the law or who engage in serious misconduct should not receive bonus pay. By reintroducing this legislation, we are continuing our bipartisan push to end to this ridiculous practice.

Meeting with US Trade Representative Nominee Robert Lighthizer

This week, I met with U.S. Trade Representative Nominee Robert Lighthizer. During our conversation, Mr. Lighthizer said he is committed to ensuring any future U.S. trade deals or renegotiations will not harm Nebraska agriculture. He also stated that one of his main objectives, if confirmed to this position, is opening new markets for agriculture producers. I'm confident Mr. Lighthizer intends to be an advocate for the many families in our state who work hard to feed a growing and hungry world.

Water Infrastructure Flexibility for Local Communities

Click here to view my video highlighting the Water Infrastructure Flexibility Act

Improvements to water infrastructure help keep Americans healthy and safe. But as local communities work to comply with burdensome EPA mandates, costs are ultimately passed on to families through higher utility bills. Cities like Omaha know this well.

Recently, I introduced the Water Infrastructure Flexibility Act along with six of my Senate colleges: Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio), and Ben Cardin (D-Md.), John Boozman (R-Ark.), Rob Portman (R-Ohio), Roy Blunt (R-Mo.), and Cory Booker (D-N.J.).

This bipartisan legislation would provide local communities with increased flexibility when complying with Clean Water Act requirements for updates to water infrastructure projects. The bill would also give communities more autonomy as they prioritize and plan for wastewater and storm water investments.  

Photos of the Month

In Omaha, I toured one of the lifesaving Air Methods Corporation helicopters with their impressive team.

With Jacob McNeill of Omaha and Matthew Fredricks of Alda in the Senate's Kennedy Caucus Room. These outstanding students were chosen as Nebraska's delegates to the United States Senate Youth Program in Washington, D.C.

I read a congratulatory letter from President Trump and excerpts from a Senate-passed resolution recognizing the Nebraska Sesquicentennial at the Statehood Dinner in our State Capitol.