Columns
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.
On March 1st, Nebraskans celebrated 159 years of statehood. It was a moment to reflect on the people and values that built our state and the pioneer spirit that continues to define us today.
On any given evening, if you flip on the national news, you’d think the country is unraveling at the seams. Headlines scream crisis, chaos, and collapse, as if America is teetering on the brink.
From sunrise to sunset, Nebraska’s ag producers work to feed and fuel our world. With one in four jobs being directly related to agriculture, it is no surprise the industry is the economic engine of our state. Nowhere is this more evident than in Nebraska’s Third District, the nation’s top ag-producing district, a leader in cow-calf, corn, and ethanol production.
Drive across Nebraska on a clear evening and you’ll see why we call it “The Good Life.” Small towns where neighbors still wave. Safe communities where kids ride their bikes home at dusk. Main streets where people know your name and your word still means something.
That kind of life doesn’t happen by accident. It exists because we respect the rule of law. We believe in fairness, and we take responsibility for our communities and for each other.
Those same Nebraska values should guide our elections.
For many Nebraskans, parenthood brings both immense joy and real challenges every day. As a father of two, I can say without hesitation that there is no greater calling in life than being a parent. While fatherhood has been one of the greatest blessings in my life, it is unrealistic to say it is not challenging.