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Dear Friend,
In May, I continued to push back against federal overreach, strengthen our national security, and stand up for the needs of our rural communities. I also hosted the top Senate Agriculture Committee Republican, Senator John Boozman, in Nebraska to talk with farmers and ranchers about their priorities for the upcoming Farm Bill.
Keep reading to learn more about how I have been working to serve Nebraskans.
I was happy to welcome my colleague Senator Boozman to Nebraska for a series of visits with family farmers and ranchers. Together, we heard about which agriculture programs work, where the gaps are, and what can improve.
Senator Boozman and I also met with stakeholders at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center (ENREEC). There, we heard from researchers about their efforts to make Nebraska a national leader in precision ag technologies.
I’m committed to leveraging my position on the Senate Agriculture Committee to ensure the needs of Nebraska producers are met. I look forward to passing a strong Farm Bill later this year.
Click here to view the photos from our trip.
Click here to watch the press conference video.
President Biden is refusing to enforce the immigration laws that govern our borders. Rather than being honest with the American people about the humanitarian and national security catastrophe at our southern border, the Biden administration’s ‘solutions’ continue to lower the bar to enter the country and encourage illegal crossings.
As a result, we’ve seen a record 5 million people crossing the border since President Biden took office.
Last month, I sent a letter to Homeland Security Secretary Alejandro Mayorkas demanding answers on President Biden’s failure to defend our national security and secure the border, despite receiving funds from Congress to finish building the border wall system.
National security threats to U.S. critical infrastructure continue to grow. I’m working to address this through my new bill – the Defend Our Networks Act – which would help complete the removal of dangerous Chinese-made equipment from our nation’s communications networks.
At a hearing last month, I pressed Commerce Secretary Gina Raimondo about my legislation and the urgent need to rip out and replace this risky equipment. It's critical that we defend our nation against any potential risk of spying and espionage by a foreign country.
AM radio serves as the backbone of the national Emergency Alert System and remains critical to public safety. Millions of Americans also rely on AM radio to hear the latest local news and weather reports. Our more rural communities have a long history of farm broadcasters, who for generations have helped family farmers and ranchers thrive.
After several automakers announced plans to remove AM radios from their new vehicles earlier this year, I joined several colleagues in drafting legislation – the AM for Every Vehicle Act – to fix this problem once and for all. Our bill would require automakers to maintain AM broadcast radio in their new vehicles at no additional charge.
Automakers must not suddenly drop such an essential service. While Ford later announced it would reverse course, it’s important that other automakers do the same.
Last month, we celebrated National Police Week. The week serves as an opportunity to honor the men and women in blue, and those who have lost their lives in the line of duty over the past year. It is also an opportunity to highlight legislation that supports law enforcement’s work going forward.
Communities across our country are hurting as violent offenders and dangerous opioids remain on our streets. To combat this crisis, I co-led commonsense legislation to reauthorize the Project Safe Neighborhoods program, which has a proven track record of reducing crime and protecting communities.
Police departments in Nebraska and nationwide continue to face major recruiting and retention challenges. Earlier this year, I also reintroduced my own bill – the Recruit and Retain Act – to help these law enforcement agencies tackle hiring roadblocks to reach full staffing levels. I’m proud that in May, the Senate Judiciary Committee passed my legislation out of committee by a unanimous voice vote. I’ll keep working to ensure we get this important bill across the finish line.
Photos:
I always enjoy meeting with the Nebraska Cattlemen to talk about the issues facing Nebraska producers and the importance of this year's Farm Bill.
We owe so much to our servicemen and women. I had a good meeting with retired USAF Col. and MOAA Heartland Chapter President Dan Donovan to talk about ways to continue supporting our military and veterans.
The National Community Pharmacists Association represents over 19,400 pharmacies nationwide. I met with some of their members to discuss ways to increase transparency and expand access for Nebraska families.
Nurse anesthetists are crucial to rural healthcare, helping ensure hospitals can offer critical surgical services. I had a productive meeting with members of the American Association of Nurse Anesthesiology last month to talk about ways to address health care workforce issues and improve care for Nebraskans.
It was great to meet with members of the American Association of Healthcare Administrative Management to discuss ways to improve care for patients throughout Nebraska.
I had a productive discussion with ACLI about industry priorities like paid family leave.
Wednesday morning in our nation’s capital means Nebraska Breakfast! I enjoyed meeting with constituents from all over our state.
CNPPID is the largest surface water irrigation provider and hydropower producer in our state. I appreciated meeting with the company’s representatives to discuss hydropower projects that will assist Nebraskans, like the Kingsley Dam repair project.
Last month, I welcomed members of the Independent Community Bankers of America to the Capitol to talk about ways we can support our local banks, which offer essential financial services to so many communities in Nebraska.
Truck stops and travel plazas strengthen local economies and bolster the travel and tourism sector. I met with members of the National Association of Truck Stop Owners about the importance of renewable fuels and my year-round E15 legislation.
It was a pleasure to have Caleb, Hunter, Will, and Mark as interns in my office this spring. They worked hard for the people of Nebraska.
I had a productive discussion with the United Egg Producers about priorities for the upcoming Farm Bill, including how it can help protect against avian influenza.
It was great meeting with Nebraskans from U.S. Bank to talk about our state’s banking industry and some of the projects they are working on.
I had the chance to meet with a group of anesthesiologists from the Nebraska Medical Association last month. I appreciated our discussion about a wide range of issues facing the medical field and the importance of maintaining quality care.
I always appreciate the opportunity to speak with members of the Siouxland Chamber of Congress about important topics affecting northeast Nebraska, including college education funding and my paid family leave tax credit.
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