May 14 2025
April Legislative Recap
Dear Friend,
To create policy that benefits Nebraskans, it is crucial to hear from those who make up our shared communities. That’s why, this past month, I concentrated my efforts on meeting with and hearing from Nebraskans from across the state.
In Nebraska, I was able to visit with student veterans at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and hear first-hand about the benefits their Military and Veteran Success Center offers them. I was also honored to attend the grand openings of two essential Nebraska National Guard facilities, while also meeting many of you along the way.
In Washington, I introduced legislation to support Nebraska’s communities, including a bill to support law enforcement’s efforts to keep our communities safe and prevent heavy-handed federal government mandates. In addition, I joined my colleagues in a letter to President Trump requesting a major disaster declaration following spring storms that caused extensive damage across Nebraska.
Continue reading below about my work for Nebraska:

Ranked in Top 10 of Most Effective GOP Senators
I’ve been elected and re-elected to the Senate three times to get things done for Nebraska, and that is exactly what I did last Congress by passing bills to support law enforcement, restore land to local ownership, strengthen America’s nuclear deterrent, and more.
This past month, I was honored to be ranked 6th in effectiveness out of 49 Republican senators during the 118th Congress by the Center for Effective Lawmaking. I pledge to continue championing commonsense solutions to make life better, safer, and more prosperous for Nebraskans and our great nation.
Supporting the Military Across the State
A huge part of keeping our state and country safe is maintaining a capable and advanced military force. Home to Offutt Air Force Base, Camp Ashland, and now the 95th Wing, Nebraska has long been the home of our nation’s exceptional service members. I had the pleasure of attending the ribbon cutting ceremonies for the Nebraska National Guard’s new Mead Barracks and Bellevue Readiness Center.
To continue our state’s proud tradition of military service, I was happy to announce the Nebraska Congressional Delegation’s joint Military Service Academy Days for prospective students. These days serve as an opportunity for high school students to learn about the process to apply for a congressional nomination to one of our nation’s prestigious military service academies.
Requesting Support Following Spring Storms
In March, Nebraska was hit with severe thunderstorms, blizzards, and straight-line winds which inflicted over $64.8 million in damages to electrical distribution infrastructure and facilities in impacted counties.
I joined my Nebraska colleagues in sending a letter to President Trump in support of Governor Pillen's request for a major disaster declaration for areas impacted.
I continued to push in the fight for year-round, nationwide E15 sales, joining Senate Majority Leader John Thune and my colleagues in a letter to President Trump.
And I was pleased to hear that the EPA issued a summertime emergency fuel waiver to allow E15 to be sold year-round.
However, we still need a permanent solution. My legislation, the Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act, is the only permanent, nationwide solution to unleash the power of year-round E15.

The Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Budget Resolution is the next step to enact President Trump’s agenda and fulfill his promises to keep taxes low for working families, secure the border, support our military, and unleash American Energy. But before we can pass the budget, both chambers of Congress must agree.
Read more about the budget reconciliation process here.
This month, I joined Maria Bartiromo on Fox Business to discuss the path forward to making President Trump’s 2017 tax cuts permanent in our upcoming budget bill.

Repealing California’s Radical EV Mandate
Following California’s Advanced Clean Trucks (ACT) regulation, which imposed unrealistic and stringent emissions requirements for heavy-duty trucks and heavy-duty diesel engines, I introduced legislation to overturn it. As we saw under the Biden administration, what happens in California doesn’t stay in California. One state should not be allowed to dictate emission regulations for the rest of the country.
Keeping Nebraska Safe
This month, I joined my colleagues in introducing the Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program Reauthorization Actto reauthorize this nationwide law enforcement program that uses evidence-based and data-driven approaches to reduce violent crime in our communities.
Read more about my Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program Reauthorization Act here.
Reintroducing Hammers’ Law
Nine years ago, Larry and Christy Hammer of Omaha tragically lost their lives in a fire in their cabin onboard a Peruvian river cruise. Since then, their bereaved daughters have endured a frustrating fight for accountability. I reintroduced Hammers’ Law, named after these Nebraskans, to hold the cruise industry accountable for wrongful deaths like theirs.

Work on the Armed Services Committee
Our national security relies on modern facilities capable of processing the materials needed for nuclear weapons production. I questioned Michael Cadenazzi, Jr., nominee for Assistant Secretary of Defense for Industrial Base Policy, and Vice Admiral Scott Pappano, USN, nominee for Principal Deputy Administrator of the National Nuclear Security Administration, about their plans to address this vital issue.
FACT Act Advances through Commerce Committee
Another crucial aspect of maintaining our defense is guaranteeing our foreign adversaries don’t secure a silent foothold in our telecommunications infrastructure. This month, my Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency (FACT) Act passed out of the Senate Commerce Committee and will now head to the Senate floor to be voted on.


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I enjoyed my conversation with Judge Stephen Vaden, President Trump’s nominee for the USDA’s Deputy Secretary. We discussed how he plans to strengthen America’s ag industry and rural communities. |
| I met with Nebraska members of the American Association of Colleges of Nursing to learn about their efforts to train Nebraska's next generation of healthcare professionals. | ![]() |
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I enjoyed meeting with the Columbus Area Chamber of Commerce, the Hastings Area Chamber of Commerce, and the Falls City Area of Commerce to discuss the exciting growth and economic development in their communities. |
| Project Harmony fights to protect Nebraska’s children from harm. I had a great meeting with them to discuss how we can support them in Washington. |
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We must support connectivity for Americans in ways that protect critical federal missions, especially for our national security. Thank you for your time, Chairman Powell and The Internet & Television Association to discuss modern considerations for spectrum sharing in today’s wireless world! |
| I met with Dr. David Kassmeier and his daughter to talk about chiropractic care in Nebraska. | |
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Students from Milford Public Schools were in Washington this week, and I enjoyed chatting with them and answering their questions. |
| I appreciated sitting down with the Santee Sioux Nation to discuss issues important to them, including our continued work to improve their drinking water infrastructure. |
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Every year, Close Up brings Nebraska students to Washington to get a firsthand look at what happens in our nation’s capital. I chatted with Oakland-Craig High School’s students while they swung by the Capitol Building. |
| The Military Officers Association of America takes care of our service members and their surviving spouses. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, I was happy to speak with them about how we can support their efforts in Washington to care for members of the uniformed services community. | ![]() |
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The Nebraska Bankers Association stopped by to discuss banking policies and the challenges they face while supporting Nebraska's communities. |
| Met with Nebraskans from the National Beer Wholesalers Association to discuss the importance of extending the 2017 Tax Cuts & Jobs Act to ensure that our small businesses continue to grow and thrive. |
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The Nebraska National Guard is instrumental in helping keep Nebraska’s communities safe. I met with Maj. Gen. Strong to discuss their partnerships both in Nebraska and around the world. |
| Nebraska’s economy relies on the success of its ag producers, which is why I met with the Nebraska Pork Producers to discuss the importance of passing a Farm Bill and to hear what’s affecting pork producers throughout Nebraska. |
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As a cattle rancher, I understand the importance of setting the right ag policies to help our producers succeed. I was glad to meet with the Nebraska Cattlemen to discuss the Farm Bill and the issues that are impacting our ranching communities in Nebraska. |
| It was an honor to attend the ribbon cutting ceremony to officially open the Nebraska National Guard’s Mead Barracks. This project has long been in the works, and through the commitment of the Guard’s leadership, it is finally complete and ready for use. |
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I had a 'wild' time during my visit at the Lincoln Children’s Zoo. I loved seeing all they had to offer and making a few new friends. What a wonderful place for families to explore and enjoy! |
| The new Bellevue Readiness Center will support nearly 400 National Guard personnel, providing the space, tools, and resources our men and women of the Guard need to train and continue serving at the highest level. |
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Education plays a pivotal role in shaping a person’s future. Yesterday, I met with Dr. Joanne Li, Chancellor of the University of Nebraska at Omaha, to discuss ways we can further support Nebraska’s students. |
| I met with Adam Telle, President Trump’s nominee for Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works. We had a productive conversation about curbing federal overreach, including concerns with WOTUS, and the importance of managing the Missouri River for flood control. |
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I was honored to receive the 2025 Nebraska Engineering Champion Award from the American Council of Engineering Companies — Nebraska. Nebraska’s infrastructure is built on the skill, dedication, and innovation of its engineers. I’m proud to champion their efforts in creating a more accessible, better-connected Nebraska! |
| Founded over 150 years ago in Nebraska, Arbor Day is an annual celebration of planting and caring for our trees. This year, join in the tradition by planting a tree! | ![]() |
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Thank you for participating in the democratic process.
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