Resilience, Recovery, and Results

From our founding pioneers to today, Nebraskans have always been known for our grit, determination, and resilience. Unfortunately, this year those characteristics have been tested like never before as communities across our state faced the worst wildfires in Nebraska’s history. 

Families, ranchers, farmers, volunteer firefighters, and entire communities have come together to help one another through unimaginable challenges. While the recovery process is far from over, I remain confident that Nebraska will persevere. We will rebuild, restore what was lost, and emerge stronger than before. As I continue meeting with those impacted by these devastating fires, one message has been clear: the last thing Nebraskans need while recovering from disaster is more government red tape.

This year alone, wildfires have burned more than 860,000 acres across Nebraska’s Third District, leaving behind damaged fences, destroyed grazing land, and significant economic losses for agriculture producers. We all know recovery will take time, resources, and support. The last thing anyone needs is for it to be delayed by bureaucratic hurdles.

That is why I was proud to support and work alongside Senator Fischer to advance the Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act. This commonsense legislation recently passed in the House and is now headed to President Trump’s desk to be signed into law.

The bill makes important improvements to the Emergency Conservation Program, which provides assistance to agriculture producers recovering from natural disasters. Under current law, producers can face delays and uncertainty while waiting for eligibility determinations and disaster designations. In the case of future disasters, our legislation will streamline that process by allowing assistance to be triggered more quickly following disasters like the wildfires that have devastated parts of Western and Central Nebraska.

Just as importantly, the bill provides greater flexibility for producers as they begin the difficult work of rebuilding. Whether restoring fences, rehabilitating damaged land, or addressing other conservation challenges caused by natural disasters, producers will have faster access to the relief they are eligible to receive.

Nebraskans are resilient, but resilience does not mean they should have to navigate unnecessary obstacles while recovering from disaster. Congress has a responsibility to ensure federal programs work efficiently and effectively when Americans need them most.

The passage of the Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act is a meaningful step towards helping Nebraska’s producers rebuild from the damage and recover when disaster strikes. Moving forward, I will continue to urge President Trump to sign this legislation into law and work with USDA to ensure that these necessary changes are implemented without delay.

As recovery efforts continue across our state, I will keep working to ensure that Nebraskans have the resources and support they need to move forward. Together, we will meet these challenges, rebuild our communities, and continue writing the next chapter of Nebraska’s proud story.