Senator Ricketts’ Weekly Column: Honored to Serve Nebraskans

I’m humbled and honored to have the opportunity to continue serving Nebraskans in the U.S. Senate. President Trump’s re-election, along with Republican majorities in Congress, provides a great opportunity to get our country back on track. We must deliver results for Nebraskans. This Congress, I’ll continue to fight to make government work better. I will also work to keep Americans safe and support Nebraska agriculture.

I’m looking forward to working with President-elect Trump to make government work better. That means fixing the broken appropriations process and getting our spending under control. Families across the country must tighten their financial belts when times get tough. By contrast, D.C.’s bloated bureaucracy just uses taxpayer dollars to buy a bigger belt. It can’t continue.

When I was Governor, we ran government more like a business. We improved services and reduced costs. I’m using that experience as a founding member of the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Caucus. Working with Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA), Elon Musk, and Vivek Ramaswamy, we will provide proven solutions to streamline government.

On the Environment and Public Works Committee I’ll fight to end the overregulation that has driven up costs for families and businesses. The Biden-Harris administration finalized more than 5,000 new federal rules in four years. This includes their delusional EV mandate. I’ll work with President Trump to repeal it.

This year alone about 100,000 pages of new federal rules were finalized. That’s the most new pages of rules in our country’s history. Stacked on top of each other, they would be 33 feet tall. This is as tall as a three-story building. Those rules are estimated to cost an extra $3,300 per household each year for as long as they’re on the books. American families and job-creators deserve relief, not regulation.

President Trump campaigned on securing the border. I intend to help him get it done. Last year, I unveiled a comprehensive package of border solutions. I will fight to finish the border wall. I’ll push for more resources to allow Border Patrol officers to do their jobs more effectively. I’ll go after the drug cartels that push deadly drugs that continue to kill Nebraskans like Taryn Lee Griffith.

As a member of the Foreign Relations Committee I’ll support President Trump as he restores American strength. Only through strength can we deter our adversaries and prevent future conflicts. The days of Biden’s appeasement-first policy are coming to an end very soon.

I’ll also continue supporting Nebraska agriculture. The outlook for a comprehensive five-year Farm Bill has increased with Republican leadership in the House and Senate. That’s good for Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers. Passing a Farm Bill is the best way to ensure they have the tools they need to navigate current and future challenges. I’m working to include my bills to improve flood protection and improve infrastructure resiliency. My priorities also include aid for rural microentrepreneurs and giving a next step to workers on food stamps. It’s essential we pass a good Farm Bill so producers can have the stability they need to make crucial decisions.

Finally, the Senate must exercise it’s “advise and consent” role and confirm President Trump’s nominees. I’m excited about the change of leadership at many of these agencies. I’m also excited about the prospect of confirming judges that will defend our Constitution and protect the rule of law.

I’m pleased that the Senate will return to a more normal work schedule. There’s no time to waste. Most Americans work at least five days a week. Under Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), the Senate will show up to work until the work gets done. That’s the way it should be.

We have a lot of work to do. I’m committed to working with my colleagues to deliver meaningful results for Nebraskans. Thank you again for the opportunity to fight for our state.