Supporting Nebraska Families at Every Stage

In Nebraska, we know family is defined by more than the name we share, but by the commitment we make to one another. Across our state, individuals and families step forward every day to open their hearts and homes to children in need, providing the stability, support, and sense of belonging every child deserves.

This generous spirit is at the heart of the Congressional Coalition on Adoption Institute’s Angels in Adoption Leadership Program. This program allows Members of Congress the opportunity to recognize their constituents who are making a meaningful difference in the lives of children through adoption, foster care, and child welfare.  

This year, I am honored to recognize Jenna and Robert Stoner of Holdrege as Nebraska’s Third District Angels in Adoption honorees. Through their compassion and care, Jenna and Robert have provided their adoptive children with the love, stability, and support they needed during a pivotal time in their lives. Their example is a reminder of the profound difference a family can make when they open their hearts and their home to a child in need.  

I understand that supporting families also means advancing policies that give them opportunity, stability, and confidence in the future. That is why my Republican colleagues and I fought to pass the Working Families Tax Cuts last summer. We stayed focused and delivered the largest tax cut for working families in American history by creating a tax code that rewards work, encourages investment, and helps Nebraska families build a more secure future. 

For adoptive families like the Stoners, keeping more of what they earn can make a meaningful difference as they provide their children with the love, stability, and support they need. As part of the Working Families Tax Cuts, Republicans increased the refundable portion of the Adoption Tax Credit to $5,000. Adoption is beautiful and life-changing, but it can also be expensive. This increased credit helps ease the financial burden for hardworking families who are opening their homes to children in need.

But our commitment to families does not end there. Through the creation of Trump Accounts, we are giving parents a new tool to help build a stronger financial future for our children from the very beginning. Americans born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, will be eligible for a one-time $1,000 federal contribution to their Trump Account. Families can also contribute up to $5,000 annually, allowing those savings to grow over time and help a young person pursue an education, purchase a home, or start a career.  

Unfortunately, under current law, the $1,000 federal contribution expires after 2028, meaning future generations won’t receive the same investment. I introduced my Trump Accounts for All Generations Act to permanently extend the contribution and index it to inflation beginning in 2029. Ensuring every newborn will have the same opportunity to build a strong financial foundation from the very beginning for years to come.  

While policies like these create more opportunities, ultimately, it is families who give children the love, support, and foundation they need to succeed. Jenna and Robert Stoner are a powerful example of what it means to put family first. Their compassion, generosity, and willingness to open their home have made a lasting difference in the lives of their children and reflect the values that make Nebraska such a special place.  

I am proud to honor the Stoners for the example they have set and will continue working in Congress to support Nebraska families by strengthening financial security, expanding opportunity, and helping parents build a brighter future for their children.