Ricketts Spends State Work Period Fighting for Nebraska Priorities
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) highlighted his efforts to fight for Nebraska priorities during the recent Senate state work period. Ricketts led a bipartisan delegation trip to the Philippines and Taiwan focused on deterring Communist China. Trade issues were also discussed. He then held a series of public events in Nebraska. Those included town halls in Scottsbluff, Valentine, and Kearney. He made the following comments while on a conference call with Nebraska media:
“Before Easter, I visited the Philippines and Taiwan,” said Ricketts. “I met with the leaders in both those countries. We discussed ways to push back on Communist China’s aggression. Communist China is our greatest external threat.”
Ricketts also underscored the potential for expanded trade opportunities for Nebraska agriculture producers.
“There is a lot of interest in signing new trade deals,” said Ricketts. “For example, Taiwanese Vice President Hsiao expressed an interest in buying more of our soybeans instead of buying them from Brazil. Others expressed interest in buying more of our natural gas. They know Communist China is a bad trading partner. They want to work with us. There’s a lot of opportunity. We need to start cutting these trade deals.”
In addition, Ricketts recapped the many public events he held across Nebraska. This included three town halls, roundtable conversations in Grand Island and Scottsbluff, a cattle branding in Sioux County, and events in Lincoln with Nebraska Farm Bureau and the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce.
“I shared how I’m working with President Trump to secure the southern border, protect the 2017 tax cuts, and support Nebraska agriculture,” continued Ricketts. “I gave an update on how I’m fighting to address our $36 trillion national debt – which is our greatest domestic threat. I also heard feedback and answered questions directly from Nebraskans. These conversations help me stay connected to the priorities and values of my constituents.”
Watch the video here
TRANSCRIPT:
Senator Ricketts: “Over the last two weeks, I focused on some of the priorities that we face now as a nation.
“For example, specifically deterring China and tackling our debt.
“Before Easter, I visited the Philippines and Taiwan.
“I met with the leaders in both those countries.
“We discussed ways to push back on Communist China’s aggression.
“Communist China is our greatest external threat.
“Xi Jinping has said that he wants to be the world’s dominating power by 2049.
“Communist China’s dramatic military buildup and increasingly provocative actions are designed to force everyone else to bend to its will.
“Just this week, it took over an island in the West Philippine Sea.
“In the past, they have stolen intellectual property and continue to do so.
“They manipulate or disregard rules to gain advantages that risk our security.
“That threatens our security and threatens the security of many of our allies and partners.
“We also discussed expanding trade opportunities for American producers.
“There is a lot of interest in signing new trade deals.
“For example, Taiwanese Vice President Hsiao expressed an interest in buying more of our soybeans instead of buying them from Brazil.
“Others expressed interest in buying more of our natural gas.
“They know Communist China is a bad trading partner. They want to work with us.
“There’s a lot of opportunity. We need to start cutting these trade deals.
“Last week, I held public events in the Western, Central, and Eastern parts of our state.
“For example, I hosted three town halls in Scottsbluff, Valentine, and Kearney.
“At these town halls, I shared updates on my work in Washington.
“I shared how I’m working with President Trump to secure the southern border, protect the 2017 tax cuts, and support Nebraska agriculture.
“I gave an update on how I’m fighting to address our $36 trillion national debt – which is our greatest domestic threat.
“I also heard feedback and answered questions directly from Nebraskans.
“These conversations help me stay connected to the priorities and values of my constituents.
“In addition to the townhalls, I spoke to the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce.
“I gave a legislative update and answered questions about taxes, tariffs, and other topics.
“In Lincoln, I partnered with Nebraska Farm Bureau to call for making the Trump tax cuts permanent.
“If the tax cuts expire, Americans would see a $4 trillion tax increase.
“That would hurt Nebraska families, farmers, and small businesses.
“The child tax credit will be cut by $1,000.
“The standard deduction will be cut in half.
“And the deduction for the Death Tax would also be cut in half, putting our Nebraska family farms and ranches at risk.
“If these tax cuts were to expire, a family of four making $80,000 would pay $1,700 more in taxes.
“I want to see Nebraskans’ taxes cut, not raised.
“I also held several important roundtable meetings.
“In Grand Island, I heard directly from local Chambers of Commerce.
“They shared their strategies for economic development and revitalization.
“For example, I heard about the Kearney sportsplex, which is attracting events from all over the region.
“In fact, they told me that they are entirely booked, having only two open weeks from now until 2029.
“That’s huge for central Nebraska.
“In Scottsbluff, I sat down with agriculture leaders.
“They shared with me the challenges facing rural communities.
“Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers feed the world.
“I’m committed to passing a comprehensive farm bill that delivers the tools they need to succeed.
“While in western Nebraska, I took part in a cattle branding in Sioux County.
“Branding is a great part of western life.
“It’s tough, honest work that brings families and communities together.
“The brand identifies cattle and protects against theft.
“The calves are also vaccinated to protect their health.
“Nebraska is the Beef State because of the grit demonstrated every day by our ranchers.
“I’ll always advocate for Nebraska agriculture.
“In addition, my team and I are hosting Mobile Office Hours in every single county.
“We did that in all 93 counties last year – twice.
“We help Nebraskans navigate the federal bureaucracy.
“And I’ll continue fighting every day to make sure Nebraskans’ voices are heard in Washington.
“Nebraskans deserve nothing less.”