On Tuesday, November 11, 2025, our nation will pause to honor the great Americans who have answered the call to serve in the U.S. military — and to recognize their patriotism, service, and sacrifice on behalf of our country. As the daughter of a World War II Army veteran, sister of Air Force and Army veterans, and as a family member of many Army and Navy veterans, this day holds a special place in my heart. And as a U.S. senator, I’ve made veterans’ issues one of my top priorities.
Earlier this year, I had the privilege of standing alongside so many Nebraskans who worked tirelessly to establish the Grand Island Veterans Cemetery. In the Senate, I’m proud to serve on the Appropriations Committee’s Veterans Affairs Subcommittee, which provides funding for the VA program that supports cemeteries like the one in Grand Island.
My team fought hard to secure the federal funding that made this project possible. It was a day filled with gratitude — for those who served our country with honor, and for a community that refused to give up on giving them the resting place they deserve. Now, because of that effort, our state has a beautiful new place of honor in its heart — a resting place where our heroes will be laid to rest with dignity.
I’m also reminded that honoring our veterans means more than ceremonies. It means action — ensuring that those who served have access to the benefits and opportunities they’ve earned. That’s one of the reasons why the recent federal government shutdown has been so harmful.
While veterans’ care and benefits remain priorities, the uncertainty and disruptions caused by Washington gridlock make it harder for agencies and communities to plan, hire, and deliver the services veterans depend on. Our men and women in uniform kept their promises to this country — and they deserve a government that keeps its promises to them. That’s why I’ll continue to vote to reopen the government, and my offices will remain open to provide services for our veterans.
Beyond that, I’ve continued working through the Appropriations Committee to strengthen care and infrastructure for veterans. This year’s funding bill includes provisions I secured to ensure the VA purchases essential medical devices from U.S. manufacturers or trusted allies and to improve coordination between VA facilities and community health providers.
We’ve also made major progress toward replacing the aging Omaha VA hospital. The facility turns 75 this year — and it’s time for a modern replacement to meet the needs of today’s veterans. I was pleased to see the VA add the Omaha project to its Five-Year Development Plan, putting it on the path toward design and construction.
Finally, I used my senior role on the Armed Services Committee to expand the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency’s authority in this year’s National Defense Authorization Act to recover missing American service members, and I secured additional funding to ensure that sacred mission continues.
This Veterans Day, as we pause to remember the heroes who have worn our nation’s uniform, let us also recommit to standing by them — not just in words, but in deeds. From Grand Island to Omaha, and from the halls of Congress to communities across our state, Nebraskans continue to show what it means to honor and serve those who served us. May God bless our veterans, their families, the great state of Nebraska, and the United States of America.
Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.