Columns

With more than 96 percent of the world’s customers living outside our borders, trade provides tremendous opportunities to grow our rural economy. As our work on trade negotiations moves forward, I am committed to expanding access to thriving and growing international markets for Nebraska producers, manufacturers, and consumers.

Access to commercial air service is crucial to keeping rural America connected to the rest of the country and attracting entrepreneurs to invest and expand in our communities. As Kevin Howard, director of the Alliance Visitors Bureau, has said, “Economic developers don’t come into town on the bus.”

Holding federal agencies accountable is a key responsibility of Congress. Unfortunately, the Obama administration has complicated these efforts by ignoring the Constitution’s separation of powers, bypassing the American people’s elected representatives, and taking unilateral executive action.

Over the past few weeks, I have hosted several public forums and held mobile office hours across the Third District. I appreciate all Nebraskans who came to these meetings to voice their opinions, ask questions, or learn more about an issue – and I can assure you I will be taking your ideas back to Washington, D.C.

During the month of August, I have traveled around the Third District and talked with Nebraskans at mobile offices and community meetings. In addition to frustration over the growth of government, the most common concerns have involved the Obama administration’s deal with Iran – and for good reason.

In my role on the House Ways and Means Subcommittee on Trade, I continue to support policies which expand export opportunities for Nebraskans. Next month, I am hosting an event called Growing Nebraska Though Trade to facilitate an in-depth discussion on the impacts of trade agreements and ongoing work to open markets worldwide to rural America.

At my mobile offices and meetings throughout the Third District, I have the opportunity to hear directly from Nebraskans about the regulatory burdens impacting their lives and livelihoods. To fight government overreach, I launched my Regulation Rewind initiative in 2014 and have continued these efforts this year.

The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has issued yet another set of sweeping regulations, which the agency is calling the “Clean Power Plan.” Released by the Obama administration on Monday, this red tape will likely force hundreds of coal-fired power plants to shut their doors, killing jobs and increasing the cost of energy across the state of Nebraska.