Opinion

nOte frOm Last week, the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) advanced its annual National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This bill, which we must pass every year, sets our policies and spending priorities for the military.

A lot of bills and resolutions were transformed in the last session because every single bill was being filibustered. Consequently, it was in the best interest of the body to pack as much stuff into one bill as possible. This past session, one of my bills and resolutions ended up being transformed into an interim study. During the interim (the time between sessions) committees will often conduct “interim studies” about a topic that interests the committee.

W The significance of the agriculture industry to Nebraska’s Third District cannot be overstated. As the nation’s leading congressional district in market value of agriculture products sold, our farmers and ranchers are the backbone of our state’s economy.

n d.C . One year ago this week, the Supreme Court of the United States handed down one of the most important decisions in its history.

nOte frOm d.C . Last Monday, I had another opportunity to hear directly from Nebraska producers about this year’s Farm Bill.

The new governor says, jubilantly, the honeymoon cruise with the Nebraska Legislature was a huge success. Sorry governor, I’m seeing flags.

Marrying a farm kid has shown me the immense amount of pride in being part of the ag community. It is prevalent that the agricultural profession, while rewarding, is challenging. Running big dollar operations that are both physically and mentally demanding creates some serious strain on our mental health. Whether it’s a co-op employee spraying chemicals or spreading fertilizer for 70+ hours a week or a farmer during planting or harvest, the demand never truly stops.

In Nebraska, we have a lot to be proud of.

So, this is prison reform? At this point, it’s something and we’ll cling to every little bit of it while the Republican majority anticipates the building of a new prison, which will do little, if anything, to alleviate overcrowding An omnibus bill sponsored by Omaha Sen. Justin Wayne and signed into law by Governor Jim Pillen creates several programs intended to improve the state’s criminal justice system, including a program to expand problemsolving courts, a pilot program to establish paroleviolation residential housing and a probationer incentive program.