A Busy Fall Begins
The Nebraska State Fair is a great celebration of agriculture and a wonderful time to meet old and new friends.
When the fair comes to an end, it also signals the end of summer. Throughout the month of August, I have been grateful for the opportunity to travel the Third District and hold mobile offices to talk with Nebraskans about issues ranging from tax reform to trade, and modern agriculture to health care.
Additionally, I have visited some of our district’s innovative entrepreneurs and presented Excellence in Economic Development awards to recognize their contributions to our economy and communities. The 2016-2017 Third District Youth Advisory Council held their first meeting with me in Gibbon to kick off a year of productive discussions about local and federal issues. I have met with producers in multiple counties to talk about obstacles they face due to the overreach of the federal government. Earlier in the month, I had the honor of participating in a send-off ceremony for nearly 100 Nebraska National Guard soldiers and dedicating the new Omaha National Cemetery which will serve veterans and their families throughout Nebraska.
It has been a productive August meeting with people on the front lines of our economy. As September begins, Congress is reconvening in Washington, D.C. We have a lot of work to do.
The first major issue we must address is funding the government through the next fiscal year. We know the federal government cannot afford to continue to spend money it does not have. If our $19 trillion national debt were evenly distributed among all American citizens, each person would owe nearly $60,000.
Since Republicans assumed the House majority, we have cut spending by nearly $200 billion. These decisions on what to cut are not easy, but they are necessary. We must keep moving in this fiscally responsible direction to put our country on a more sustainable course.
In my role on the Ways and Means Committee, I will also continue helping to lay the groundwork on our plans for tax reform and health care.
Simplifying the tax code is the most effective way we can boost our economy. In fact, under our tax reform blueprint, most Americans could file their taxes on a form as small and simple as a postcard. Our blueprint ends the death tax as well as special interest loopholes to make the tax code fairer for all. I encourage Nebraskans to continue sharing with me any feedback which can help improve this proposal.
Our health care plan – an official Republican alternative to Obamacare – eliminates more than $1 trillion in health care taxes and mandates while giving Americans more options to choose from in a more flexible insurance market. People can take their coverage with them rather than being tied to a certain job or location to keep their insurance. Our plan also includes reforms to strengthen Medicare and empowers patients to make their own health care decisions with their doctors.
These issues impact all Nebraskans, and I am grateful to everyone who took the time to come to my public meetings and visit with me in August to share their thoughts and concerns. I will take your input with me to Washington as we begin a busy fall season in Congress.