Columns
From Falls City to Lyman, Valentine to Superior, and everywhere in between, Nebraska’s Third District is home to some of the hardest-working people I know. Serving them in Congress remains the honor of a lifetime, and one I will never take for granted.
For many, spring is a season full of new beginnings. A time when the sun sets later, the weather gets a little nicer, and excitement for summer plans begins to grow.
For ag producers across the Third District, spring is filled with hard work. Mornings start earlier and evenings stretch longer as they work to prepare for what lies ahead.
Small businesses are the backbone of our communities and the driving force behind our local economies. They are more than just storefronts and services; they are our neighbors, friends, and the familiar faces you see when you walk down Main Street.
Each spring, as I travel across the Third District meeting with constituents, I am reminded just how special Nebraska is. There is a peace in rural America you cannot replicate anywhere else. It is the endless Sunday morning sunrise, the crunch of gravel under your feet during an evening stroll, and the sense of community where neighbors look out for one another without hesitation. This is even clearer as neighbors continue to help neighbors as we fight the ongoing fires across our state.
“Welcome to the Good Life.” A phrase every traveler sees as they cross our state lines. For many, it’s just a slogan. But for those of us who call this state home, it’s something deeper. It’s a promise.
I see this promise fulfilled every day. I see it in conversations with students working hard to build their future, in parents balancing long days to provide for their families, and in communities coming together when it matters most. What makes Nebraska special isn’t just where we live, it’s how we live, and the value we place on family.
Tax Day will never be anyone’s favorite holiday. There are no parades, no family gatherings, and certainly no celebrations when April 15th rolls around. For most, it’s a painful reminder of how much of their hard-earned money goes out the door.
Fortunately, thanks to the Working Families Tax Cuts, when April 15th rolls around Nebraskans will be keeping more of what they earned.
When Congress is not in session, I am meeting with constituents across the Third District. I always enjoy visiting communities and meeting with Nebraskans where they are, on the front lines of our economy. I take what I learn in these conversations back to Washington and use those insights to guide my work.
Growing up in Gering, I learned early on that commitment is key. Reputation and relationships are built by keeping one's commitments. This principle has guided me throughout my life and continues to shape my work in Congress today.
In Nebraska, a handshake still means something. That sense of trust between neighbors is part of what makes our communities strong. It is something we value deeply and something worth protecting. Unfortunately, that same level of trust is in short supply in Washington.
Over the past week, smoke has filled the skies across central and western Nebraska as wildfires have torn through more than 826,000 acres—destroying homes, infrastructure, and forcing families to evacuate with little notice.
This is the worst wildfire crisis Nebraska has ever experienced and for many families the hardship is far from over.
I recently had the opportunity to visit affected areas and meet with local officials, first responders, and Nebraskans who have been directly impacted. What I saw was sobering.
From a young age, I have been fortunate enough to have a community of people who encouraged me to take risks, explore new ideas, and pursue every opportunity available. Their support helped shape my path and opened doors I never could have imagined.