Columns

During National Agriculture Week, we recognize the crucial roles of farmers, ranchers and producers across America. I am very proud to represent Nebraska’s Third District, named by the Census of Agriculture as the number one agriculture district in the nation.

The Obama administration’s recent unilateral effort to ban M855 ammunition posed a challenge to Nebraskans’ Second Amendment rights and undermined the freedoms upon which our nation was built.

This week, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in King v. Burwell. Though it serves as a needed check on the Obama administration’s health care overreach, this case could have significant impacts on Nebraskans and people across the country.

With 95 percent of consumers living outside the U.S. border and standards of living increasing in much of the developing world, global demand for Nebraska’s agriculture products is growing. Unfortunately, current trade barriers prevent our producers from fully capitalizing on this opportunity.

For generations, Americans have paid taxes into Social Security with the expectation the program will be there if they need it when they get older. Without reform, the Social Security Trust Fund will continue toward insolvency.

Nebraska’s pioneer history demonstrates what can happen when people are empowered by opportunity. Simplifying the tax code and pursuing domestic energy solutions are just two of many initiatives I am working on to encourage economic growth.

The abrupt collapse of CoOportunity Health exemplifies Obamacare’s unsustainable cycle of spending and mandates, and has left tens of thousands of Nebraskans once again searching for insurance with even fewer options.

In my role on the House Ways and Means Committee, I have the opportunity to help ensure trade initiatives keep Nebraska competitive in our global economy.