WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 -- Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Nebraska, issued the following news release: Co-Chairs of the Agriculture Trade Caucus, Reps. Adrian Smith (NE-03), Jimmy Panetta (CA-19), Dusty Johnson (SD-AL), and Jim Costa (CA-21) led 24 of their House colleagues in urging the Biden Administration to make agriculture a priority in its trade agenda by reducing tariff and non-tariff barriers for American agricultural exports. The Members encourage the U.S. Trade Representative (USTR) and the U.S. D  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23 -- Rep. Mike Flood, R-Nebraska, issued the following news release: BELLEVUE, NEBRASKA - Today, U.S. Congressman Mike Flood announced he will hold a town hall in Bellevue, Nebraska on Monday, March 4, 2024. The town hall will be hosted at the Hitchcock Humanities Center at Bellevue University. A map of the campus is located here. During the town hall, Congressman Flood will provide an update on the priorities he's been working on for Bellevue and Nebraska's First Congression  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23 -- Rep. Mike Flood, R-Nebraska, issued the following news release: LINCOLN, NEBRASKA - Today, U.S. Congressman Mike Flood issued a statement following news that the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will allow eight states to begin selling E15 year-round starting in 2025. "While I am pleased that the EPA granted the governors' request, this announcement still falls short of year-round E15 for all and delays implementation until 2025. E15 has had proven benefits for year  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23 -- Rep. Mike Flood, R-Nebraska, issued the following news release: LINCOLN, NEBRASKA - Congressman Mike Flood issued a statement following the passing of Bruce Lauritzen, former president and chairman of FNBO. "Bruce's life work is remarkable -- he leaves a legacy that is unparalleled in Nebraska banking. He reshaped Omaha's skyline with FNBO's skyscraper. He raised the standard of excellence in banking as FNBO grew dramatically. And even as the bank expanded, Bruce ensured  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 22 -- Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Nebraska, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, released the following statement in response to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) final rule approving a request from a group of Midwest governors to allow the year-round sale of gasoline with higher blends of ethanol, effective in 2025."While I appreciate that the EPA has finally approved the year-round availabil  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Nebraska, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) released the following statement today after learning of the passing of Bruce Lauritzen: "Bruce Lauritzen was a strong business and community leader in Omaha and across our state. His generosity and unwavering commitment to others has left a legacy for generations of servant leaders to come. Bruce and I extend our heartfelt condolences to Gerry and the entire Lauritzen famil  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23 -- Rep. Nikki Budzinski, D-Illinois, issued the following statement on Feb. 22, 2024: * * * Today, Congresswoman Nikki Budzinski (IL-13) released the following statement on the Environmental Protection Agency's newly finalized rule that will allow eight midwestern states to sell E15 year-round beginning in 2025. The rule applies to Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, South Dakota and Wisconsin. "We know that higher blends of biofuels help to save consumer  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23 -- Rep. Mike Flood, R-Nebraska, issued the following news release: LINCOLN, NEBRASKA - Today, U.S. Congressman Mike Flood launched "Nebraska Backs the Blue," a new initiative to support the recruitment and retention of law enforcement officers in Nebraska. "Nebraska Backs the Blue" is a loose coalition of elected officials, law enforcement officials, and community leaders who want to get the word out: Nebraska wants more peace officers to choose the Good Life. "While respe  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 -- Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Nebraska, issued the following column on Feb. 23, 2024: * * * Preparing Young Americans to Lead This week is National FFA Week, our annual opportunity to commemorate the important role this organization plays in building future leaders for rural America. As we celebrate, it's encouraging to see an increasing number of young people taking advantage of career and character-building opportunities. Across the nation, FFA participation levels are up 11 p  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 24 -- Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Nebraska, issued the following statement on Feb. 23, 2024: * * * Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE), released the following statement after the passing of former longtime chairman of First National Bank of Omaha Bruce Lauritzen: "Through more than a half-century of innovation in banking, community development, philanthropic efforts, health care, education, and international diplomacy, the impact of Bruce Lauritzen's life has been felt across the many counties  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Nebraska, issued the following news release on Feb. 20, 2024: Today, Rep. Adrian Smith (R-NE) reintroduced legislation to ensure federal Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) funds are used to help the neediest Americans. The bill, the Targeting TANF to Families in Need Act, would direct states to ensure TANF assistance is targeted toward families with a household income below 200 percent of the federal poverty line. Currently no federal elig  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Nebraska, issued the following column on on Feb. 20, 2024: * * * Infrastructure Investments Pay Dividends for Nebraska In his 1954 State of the Union address, President Dwight D. Eisenhower announced his intention to "protect the vital interest of every citizen in a safe and adequate highway system." Eisenhower claimed that the U.S. government must play central role in this task, advocating federal funding for an Interstate Highway System. Establish  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 23 -- Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minnesota, issued the following statement on Feb. 22, 2024: * * * U.S. Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) released the statement below after the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) announced it will approve a request to allow summer month sales of E15 gasoline with high blends of ethanol. The expansion will have an effective date of April 28, 2025. The request was made in 2022 by the governors of Illinois, Iowa, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, Ohio, Sout  more

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 -- The Senate Indian Affairs Committee issued the following written testimony by Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska Chairwoman Victoria Kitcheyan involving a hearing on Feb. 8, 2024, on the Winnebago Land Transfer Act (S. 3230): * * * Good morning Chairman Schatz, Vice Chairman Murkowski, and Members of the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs. My name is Victoria Kitcheyan, and I have the honor of serving as the Chairwoman of the Winnebago Tribe of Nebraska ("Tribe" or "Winnebago")  more