Opinion

Last weekend, Congress narrowly avoided a government shutdown. After a turbulent week, the House of Representatives passed a shortterm bipartisan spending bill. The Senate approved the bill hours before the deadline of October 1.

“For it’s a long, long while from May to December But the days grow short when you reach September And the autumn weather turns the leaves to flame…” -- September Song I decided it was time to get out of the office and go see Nebraska. It’s been a postpandemic while since I have done so.

“I’m just a state senator.” I have to say that occasionally to Nebraskans who contact me about what are “federal” issues that concern the United State Congress. Some people don’t realize the state of Nebraska doesn’t have jurisdiction over a number of different things effecting their lives.

Last week, the House was set to continue its work on the 12 annual appropriations bills to ensure the government is responsibly funded. Unfortunately, our legislative work to cut wasteful spending was disrupted when a small handful of Republicans voted with Democrats to remove the Speaker of the House. I voted against vacating the chair because it sets a disruptive precedent and because the House should be focused on delivering results for the American people. House Republicans already have a record of success in the 118th Congress, and I believe we should be building on that record as a team united, not fighting amongst ourselves. It’s unfortunate we are in this position, but we must come together, elect a new speaker, and get back to doing the People’s business. I thank former Speaker Kevin McCarthy for his service and will continue speaking with my colleagues and Nebraskans as I consider which of my House Republican colleagues would most effectively lead the House as Speaker.

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On October 1, absent a lastminute change in momentum, the federal government will shut down. No one wins a government shutdown, least of all the American people. The Biden administration has already announced it will, in the event of a shutdown, close agencies Nebraskans rely on such as FSA, Rural Development, and the Agriculture Research Service. Because the Biden administration appears prepared to make any lapse in appropriations as painful as possible, I would prefer to keep the government open while we fight for fiscal sanity.

Earlier this year, I visited our nation’s southern border. I knew there was a crisis there, but that visit opened my eyes to more instability and hardship than I had previously seen. Along the border wall at midnight, my colleagues and I spoke with dozens of illegal immigrants who had been detained. I was heartbroken to meet a little six-month-old baby sitting by the wall with her mother waiting to go to the processing center. I was told this was not an unusual occurrence.

Governor Jim Pillen had an epiphany that paying a consultant $10 million over the next four years would save the state money. Pillen has signed the $2.5 million/ year contract, renewable three times, with Epiphany Associates of Utah to find ways to save the state money.

Social Security is the largest program in the federal budget, managing over $1 trillion in payments to roughly 70 million beneficiaries annually. It’s a necessary program and an important part of retirement for millions of Americans. Unfortunately, like many big government programs, Washington is failing to prevent its waste, fraud, and abuse, costing taxpayers billions. For example, in Fiscal Year (FY) 2021 alone, Social Security’s combined Disability Insurance (DI), Old-Age and Survivors Insurance and Supplemental Security Insurance (SSI) programs sent out over $6 billion in overpayments. Overpayments happen when the government accidentally gives beneficiaries more than they were entitled to. Six billion dollars is more than the entire State of Nebraska’s general fund budget that year.

Last week I wrote about the “pink postcard” many citizens received announcing an increase of their property taxes was being considered by a “local unit of government” (LUG). I am still receiving quite a number of calls and messages from constituents commenting about this subject.