Columns

The Easter holiday is a special time of year to celebrate and spend precious time with family. As the spring brings signs of new growth to trees and fields, we are reminded of the gift of life, the resurrection of Christ, and the blessing of creating memories with loved ones. My work on behalf Third District Nebraskans in Congress is especially meaningful when it serves to strengthen families and the relationships most fundamental for our communities. 

International trade policy has been in the spotlight recently as President Trump advances his agenda to ensure American products are treated fairly in the global marketplace. Engagement with our trade partners is vital to our economic health and creating opportunity for Americans, and it is clear the president has the world’s attention.

As we near the final days of tax season, customer service at the IRS is on the minds of many Americans. Most Americans work hard and pay their taxes in good faith, yet in Fiscal Year (FY) 2023, 32 percent of customers said they were dissatisfied with their experience with the agency’s Independent Office of Appeals. Sadly, these rates have trended in the wrong direction since Democrats poured $80 billion into the IRS to hire 87,000 new agents in 2022. In FY21 just 19 percent of taxpayers reported dissatisfaction with the IRS.

As the top-ranked state for commercial cattle slaughter and the nation’s top beef exporter, Nebraska has long earned the title “The Beef State.” In fact, 58 percent of the total value of state’s agricultural production originates from livestock. This rich heritage of excellence in the cattle industry is worth celebrating and upholding. It also provides an extraordinary foundation for growth and advancement.

Last week the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced a bevy of actions to roll back red tape and unleash American industry, effectively reversing the Biden-Harris war on affordable energy. These directives include initiating reconsideration of the unprecedented tailpipe emissions rule, a de facto mandate for consumer adoption of electric vehicles (EVs), and the so-called "Clean Power Plan 2.0," which promised to place a stranglehold on efficient power plant production.

The federal government of the United States has an obligation to maintain the highest standard of accountability to the American people. Families working hard to make ends meet, paying taxes to the federal government, rightfully expect a government which treats their hard-earned money with respect.

When President Trump took office, historic inflation and a failure of leadership by the Biden administration had hammered American families and small businesses. Disastrous policies led to our agriculture producers losing ground in export markets, deadly fentanyl flooding across the border, and dangerous criminals and terrorists threatening our communities due to a lack of immigration enforcement. Threats from China, Russia, Iran, and other rogue nations were rising as American influence abroad waned.

Just over a month into President Donald Trump’s second term, his administration is off to an aggressive start. Commissioned with a mandate from the people to restore American prosperity, the president has moved without delay to reassert common sense in the Executive Branch, rein in government overreach, and demonstrate international leadership. House Republicans are matching his stride, and this week, I supported House passage of legislation to set the stage to fulfill his agenda for historic growth and opportunity.