Working Hard to Deliver for You
Americans elected President Trump and Senate Republicans to get our country back on track. This means secure borders, abundant energy, and strength on the world stage. Working together, we’ve hit the ground running. We’ve remained united. We’re working hard to deliver results and keep our promises.
Last week marked the tenth work week since Republicans retook control of the Senate. We voted every week. We passed important bills into law. We confirmed key leaders to serve our country. The Congressional Research Service says the Senate has worked harder than it has in over 15 years. Most Americans work as long as it takes to get the work done. But in Congresses past, that same work ethic hasn’t existed. Congress is finally doing the same. There is no time to waste.
My colleagues and I have confirmed 21 members of President Trump’s cabinet. We did so at the fastest pace since 2001. The president got his entire cabinet confirmed faster than Presidents Obama and Biden. With his team in place, President Trump has been able to execute his common-sense agenda.
The Senate is taking steps to secure the border. We advanced a budget resolution that provides a framework to fund President Trump’s border priorities. We also passed the Laken Riley Act. This is the strongest immigration enforcement law in decades. It was the first bill President Trump signed into law. It closed dangerous loopholes that allowed criminal illegal aliens to hurt innocent Americans.
The Laken Riley Act included Sarah’s Law, named in honor of Sarah Root. In 2016, Sarah was killed in Omaha by a drunk driver illegal alien, just hours after graduating from Bellevue University. Due to a federal legal loophole, Sarah’s killer posted bail and was released from jail. He evaded justice for years. Sarah’s Law eliminates that loophole. It is now the law of the land.
We also passed the HALT Fentanyl Act. Fentanyl is the leading cause of death for Americans aged 18 to 45. It’s killed Nebraskans like Taryn Lee Griffith. The HALT Fentanyl Act will permanently classify fentanyl and its analogues as Schedule I substances. It will lead to harsher sentences for fentanyl traffickers. Less fentanyl means fewer overdose deaths.
Illegal border crossings are down to record lows. Criminal illegal aliens are being deported. Biden’s abuse of immigration parole has been ended. We’re cracking down on drug dealers and cartels. These actions are making America safer and more secure.
Additionally, my colleagues and I passed four Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolutions easing the regulatory burden. We passed my resolution overturning the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau’s overreach in the digital consumer payment market. We pushed back against the IRS’s attacks on cryptocurrency. And we passed two resolutions ending the Biden administration’s attempts to stifle American energy production. These actions will protect financial freedom and unleash American energy.
Many of the other solutions we’re working towards are bipartisan. I’m working with Democrat Senator Amy Klobuchar of Minnesota on expanding biofuels for ships. Biofuels support Nebraska agriculture, reduce emissions, and strengthen American energy independence. I partnered with Democrat Senator Jacky Rosen of Nevada to increase transparency on improper federal payments. This will help combat wasteful spending and save taxpayer dollars. More bipartisan solutions will follow in the coming weeks.
Not all our work has been bipartisan, though. Senate Republicans voted to protect girls’ and women’s sports. Democrats voted to block it. Senate Republicans voted to sanction the International Criminal Court and stand with Israel. Democrats voted to block it. We also voted to fund the government and prevent a shutdown. Most Democrats voted for a shutdown. Their opposition to common-sense policies shows how out of touch they are. Meanwhile, my Republican colleagues and I will continue fighting for solutions.
This is an exciting time. There’s a lot of work to do to get American back on track. There’s no time to waste. I’m committed to delivering for Nebraskans.
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 www.ricketts.senate.gov/contact.
