Stepping off the plane at Eppley Airfield for our month-long state work period was a much-needed return to the heartbeat of those I represent in U.S. Senate. There’s a certain clarity that comes from being in Nebraska, where conversations are grounded in practicality and guided by our shared vision for a more prosperous future for our children and grandchildren.
My first week back began at the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce Federal Legislative Summit in Ashland. There, alongside my fellow delegation members, we tackled some of the most pressing economic issues facing our state — from trade and tax policy to the strategic use of federal resources. These conversations shape the opportunities available to our farmers, businesses, and working families.
Throughout the week, I met with health care advocates representing patients with neurological conditions, rare diseases, and seniors who depend on home care. Each meeting was a reminder that policymaking is at its best when it is informed by the lived experiences of those directly affected.
The week concluded with a highlight: welcoming U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln (UNL)’s Eastern Nebraska Research, Extension and Education Center. This world-class facility is more than a point of pride — it’s a hub of innovation that is setting a global benchmark for agricultural research. While touring the center – including the Klosterman Feedlot Innovation Center – with Secretary Rollins, I was struck by how far Nebraska has come in integrating advanced technology with time-tested agricultural expertise.
Our visit culminated in a roundtable with university leaders, members of the Nebraska Farm Bureau, commodity groups, and renewable fuels advocates. We discussed my efforts to secure federal funding for this U.S. Department of Agriculture research facility, co-located at UNL and dedicated to precision agriculture. This initiative will give industry partners an unparalleled opportunity to test and deploy the kinds of technologies that are already transforming productivity, sustainability, and profitability in agriculture.
We also reviewed the agricultural provisions of the recently passed One Big Beautiful Bill — landmark legislation that blends the stability of a Farm Bill with long-overdue reforms. For the first time since 2018, Nebraska’s producers can count on strengthened safety net programs like Agriculture Risk Coverage and Price Loss Coverage as well as improved crop insurance provisions from the FARMER Act.
These measures translate into tangible benefits: tens of millions in relief starting with the 2025 crop year, stronger livestock disaster programs that respond more quickly to drought and other emergencies, expanded indemnity coverage for weather and predator losses — even for unborn livestock — and a nearly doubled investment in animal disease preparedness and agricultural trade promotion. Each change was designed with one goal in mind: to give Nebraska’s producers the tools they need to compete and thrive in a dynamic global marketplace.
This is what results-driven policy looks like — targeted investments, smarter safeguards, and a stronger foundation for the generations who will carry our agricultural legacy forward. Nebraska has long been at the forefront of feeding the world. With this legislation, we’re ensuring that leadership continues, rooted in innovation, supported by sound policy, and amplified by the unmatched work ethic of our producers.
Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.