Columns

As happens too often when the federal government gets involved, a seemingly well-intentioned bill hastily signed into law in 2010 wreaked havoc on economic opportunity in America. You may be surprised to learn this is not a column about Obamacare. Instead, I am talking about a piece of legislation which has become known as “Obamacare for banks.”

When I travel the Third District, one of the most common questions I receive from Nebraskans is whether I have hope for Republicans and Democrats to come together and get things done. I do have examples of bipartisanship to cite, as it occurs more often in Congress than people think, but the overall tone in our country must change to allow for meaningful work to take place.

My hope is everyone will have taken time on Memorial Day to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice so we can live freely in America – and not lose sight of our gratitude to these brave men and women throughout the year.

Nebraskans have been waiting far too long for a simpler, fairer tax code. To help them plan for the future for their families, farms, and businesses, we need to move forward on comprehensive, pro-growth tax reform.

Aetna has announced it will exit all Obamacare marketplaces in 2018, citing $700 million in losses since 2014 and leaving Nebraskans with only one insurer on the exchange. The remaining insurer, Medica, has not yet committed to selling policies on the exchange next year.

The first 100 days of any presidential administration are carefully analyzed as a barometer for future success. If the first 100 days of the Trump administration are any indication, there is much more shaking up the status quo to come.

Over the last five years, Nebraska hospitals have lost out on $18.3 million due to a one-sentence Obamacare loophole. Ensuring access to quality care in rural areas is challenging enough without the federal government erroneously diverting needed funds.

One issue most Americans agree on is the importance of investing in our infrastructure. Significant repairs are needed to keep our country strong and competitive. In Nebraska, we know infrastructure is crucial to connecting rural communities.