Senator Ricketts’ Weekly Column: Federal Issues Forum Recap

My favorite part of my job as U.S. Senator is traveling the state and hearing directly from Nebraskans.  I welcomed hundreds of Nebraskans to my annual Federal Issues Forum at the Nebraska State Fair.  I’m grateful for everyone who attended.

The Federal Issues Forum is an event where we discuss federal issues impacting Nebraskans.  The event included the Ricketts Review release.  This highlights my track record as Senator and discusses wins for Nebraskans.  I was joined at the Forum by Senator Deb Fischer and Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins.  A major focus of the Forum was how we are delivering for Nebraska farmers and ranchers. 

Senator Fischer and I discussed our work on the Working Families Tax Cuts.  It made the Death Tax exemption permanent.  88% of Nebraska farms and ranches are family owned.  Now, generations of hard work can stay in the family.  We also updated reference prices for the first time in 11 years.  We doubled trade promotion funding.  Now, we’re providing $285 million annually for the Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development program.  That means more demand for Nebraska beef, corn, and soybeans abroad.

Senator Fischer and I are also fighting to secure securing nationwide, year-round E15.  In Nebraska, we know that E15 is a win-win-win.  It saves folks money at the pump.  It’s good for the environment.  And it helps farmers get better prices for their crops.  We are working to get it across the finish line.

Secretary Brooke Rollins helped throughout this year’s historic wildfires and natural disasters.  In March, she toured fire damage with Senator Fischer and me.  Secretary Rollins has seen our recovery needs firsthand.  And she has helped us recover and rebuild.   This includes opening the grazing access at the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge.  She has also offered the time and assistance of USDA officials.  That includes Under Secretary of Agriculture Richard Fordyce, who joined me for roundtables to discuss wildfire recovery and the Farm Service Agency.  We listened to Nebraska ranchers about the challenges for rebuilding.  They said they needed flexibility, not one-size-fits-all policies.  After these discussions, the USDA loosened requirements for replacing fence posts damaged in the fires.  This also led to the introduction of my FENCE Act.  The legislation would allow virtual fencing to be an option under the Emergency Conservation Program.

Secretary Rollins has also fought against Communist China’s efforts to purchase American ag land.  USDA recently established the National Farm Security Action Plan.  It makes our government aware of Communist China’s influence in rural America.  As of 2023, Communist China owned more than 277,000 acres of farmland.  It’s not just about the number of acres that they own.  The land they own surrounds the Grand Forks Air Force Base in North Dakota and Fort Bragg in North Carolina.  Communist China is buying land around sensitive military installations.  This land ownership is a real national security threat.  That’s why I introduced the PLOT Act and the AFIDA Improvements Act.  These bills would strengthen the foreign ag land reporting process to make blocking transactions easier.  Components of the AFIDA Improvements Act are included in the draft Senate farm bill and in the House-passed farm bill.

I’m grateful Secretary Rollins joined us at the State Fair.  We took questions directly from the audience about what issues affect them most.  I was grateful to the Nebraskans that weighed in on various issues.  That includes the Trump Administration’s recent decision to allow imports of foreign beef at zero tariff.  This was an opportunity to advocate for our farmers and ranchers directly to Secretary Rollins.  I encouraged this administration to rethink short-term policy changes that don’t offer long-term solutions.

Agriculture is Nebraska’s top industry.  It’s our way of life.  I’ll keep fighting for our farmers and ranchers.  Thank you to everyone who came to the Federal Issue Forum.  And thank you to everyone who worked, volunteered, or showed at the State Fair!

My team and I are here to serve you.  Contact us anytime by phone at 202-224-4224.  You can also view my website at https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/contact.