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2011 In Review

Dear Nebraskans,

It’s hard to believe 2011 has come to an end and my first term representing you in the U.S. Senate is at its midpoint. We’ve accomplished a lot this year, and I want to thank all of you who took time out of your busy schedules to meet with me. Your informed views provide direction and guidance as we tackle tough issues in Washington, most importantly how to revive our dormant economy and help put people back to work. As 2011 draws to a close, I thought it would be appropriate to reflect upon the year.

1099

We started right where we left off in 2010 - working to repeal the burdensome 1099 mandate tacked onto the health care law. A year ago, millions of small businesses and other organizations were bracing for the paperwork nightmare. My repeal effort continued to gain momentum and was one of the first bills I introduced in the new Congress. It took nine months and seven votes, but the Senate at last voted to repeal the mandate. It was signed into law by the President shortly thereafter - the first piece of the health care law to be repealed. The 1099 mandate, which would have taken effect just a few short days from now, would have impacted more than 40 million small businesses (our job creators) - as well as churches, charities and local governments - by adding a mountain of new paperwork requirements, costing thousands of dollars. At a time when we are looking to small businesses to help get our economy moving, repealing this provision allows them to sharpen their focus on growing and hiring workers.

Environment and Public Works

A new Congress brought about a new committee assignment, and I am honored to be a member of the Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee. The committee has allowed me to be more hands-on with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and push back against its regulatory overreach. The EPW Committee also has jurisdiction over the Army Corps of Engineers, which has been important regarding this summer’s flooding, as detailed below.

Also as part of my work on the EPW committee, I introduced legislation that would require EPA to respect longstanding state prerogatives when it comes to enforcing federal Clean Air Act standards. Unless action is taken, states, including Nebraska, are facing an accelerated timeline to comply with new EPA regulations that could lead to layoffs, tens of millions of dollars in increased utility costs in Nebraska, and as a result, dramatically increased electricity bills. My bill requires EPA to give states at least two years to submit their own regulatory plan and prohibits EPA from implementing a federal plan if states have not been given enough time.  I pressed for a vote in 2011 on my legislation to address EPA’s unfair treatment of Nebraska in the cross-state rule, and I will remain committed to addressing this and other misguided EPA rules in 2012. 

Missouri River Flooding

The determination and resilience of those devastated by the Missouri River flooding this summer remains a great source of inspiration for me and for all Nebraskans. Many of you worked to protect not only your own homes but those of your neighbors and your entire communities. I witnessed firsthand extraordinary resolve as I visited affected communities to get a clear understanding of the challenges. In Washington, I met numerous times with leaders of the Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and the National Flood Insurance Program to ensure an appropriate response. I continue to closely monitor their work. I also introduced legislation to ensure flood victims in Nebraska and elsewhere are treated fairly when it comes to their flood insurance policies; A similar provision was included in the Senate version of the Flood Insurance Reform and Modernization Act.  Another bill I cosponsored would have forced the Army Corps to factor the flooding of 2011 into their 2012 operating plan. In the end, they announced plans to modify the 2012 plan to better prepare for the possibility of record runoff.

Confronting our Debt

With a national debt of more than $15 trillion and an Administration famous for $1 trillion-dollar annual deficits, I made many efforts to control government spending this year. During my nearly 30 town halls in 2011, our debt was almost always a top concern. In Nebraska, we balance the budget annually without borrowing money and live within our means - and that’s the precise mentality we need in Washington. I cosponsored legislation to add a strong balanced budget amendment to the Constitution, return federal spending to sustainable levels and reform entitlements. I also spearheaded an effort with Senator Michael Bennet of Colorado to bring together more than 60 Senators - 32 Democrats and 32 Republicans – as authors of a letter asking the President to show leadership in solving our current budget woes.

Keystone XL

I devoted considerable time in 2011 to the Keystone XL pipeline, addressing serious deficiencies in the analysis of its route through Nebraska. TransCanada Corporation is seeking a permit for the pipeline to carry oil from Canada to Texas. I've said all along I have no problem with tar sands oil or oil pipelines, but they simply chose the wrong route. After I requested additional public meetings in Nebraska, the State Department held them in Lincoln and Atkinson this fall, which brought to light the intensity of the concern in Nebraska.

I'm pleased that through the leadership of Speaker Mike Flood and Governor Dave Heineman, our state found a solution. TransCanada agreed to voluntarily move the route in Nebraska and the State Department agreed to respect state legislation that allows the Governor to choose the new route. Now that these concerns have been addressed, I added my support to federal legislation that allows Nebraska to take as much time as it needs to reroute the pipeline through our state while ensuring the rest of the pipeline project isn’t stalled for political reasons. The Administration should now approve the pipeline permit for the portion of the route outside of Nebraska, which will bring oil from a friendly ally, create thousands of new jobs, and protect the natural resources of our state.

Agriculture

With reauthorization of the farm bill expected in the coming year, 2011 offered a perfect time to meet with ag producers across the state to gather ideas for future agricultural policy. I held a series of public meetings, called Nebraska Ag Policy Perspectives, to hear your thoughts firsthand. My website also has a farm bill webpage to keep you up-to-date. I look forward to working on the farm bill in 2012. 

The Senate Agriculture Committee also plays a pivotal role in reining in regulatory overreach by the Administration. I worked hard to fight against EPA’s attempts to regulate farm dust. Facing the potential of an overwhelming bipartisan vote on my legislation, EPA Administrator Jackson announced the agency would back off the rule. Additionally, my legislation to exempt milk spills on dairy farms from being regulated in the same manner as oil spills raised the profile of this ludicrous EPA idea. I was pleased when EPA finally approved the exemption. I've also fought back against the Department of Agriculture’s GIPSA rule and the Labor Department’s proposal to restrict the ability of teenagers to work on farms.

I have urged in many letters and speeches the passage of trade agreements with Panama, Colombia and South Korea. They were finally submitted to Congress this fall after years of political stonewalling. I'm pleased the House and Senate quickly approved these agreements, which will open up new markets for U.S. goods and pump billions of dollars into our fragile economy. Our farmers and ranchers are the most productive in the world, and I'm pleased we opened new doors for them.

Health Care

From rural Johnson County to the cutting-edge University of Nebraska Medical Center, I visited health care facilities across the state to get a firsthand look at how providers are faring with implementation of the health care law, which is raising premiums instead of lowering them. This fall, the Administration announced it would no longer implement the CLASS Act, a long-term health care program in the law that myself and others warned was not viable. This was further evidence of the law’s fatal flaws, which include $800 billion in new taxes and half a trillion dollars in cuts to Medicare to pay for new entitlements. I was pleased by an August appeals court ruling that deemed the health care law unconstitutional, a lawsuit which I supported by filing a amicus legal briefing. The Supreme Court recently announced it will consider the constitutionality of the health care law, and I look forward to its timely review. In the meantime, I will continue to push for its full repeal, so we can implement responsible policies to improve our health care system.

Veterans

Serving on the Veterans' Affairs Committee is an honor and a privilege as I help to ensure our brave men and women in uniform, who risk their lives for our freedom, are given proper support. A proposal of mine to streamline job training programs for veterans transitioning from active duty to civilian life is now law, passed just before Veterans Day, along with a number of other measures to help put our veterans back to work. I look forward to continuing my work on behalf of our nation’s heroes.

Serving Nebraskans

Traveling across the state to meet with so many of you is one of the highlights of my job. From my nearly 30 open coffees and countless round tables to school and business visits, I take your concerns to heart. I also take seriously my responsibility as your U.S. senator to assist you when you hit a roadblock in the federal government. Helping Nebraskans navigate through the federal bureaucratic maze is important and sometimes life-changing.

My staff throughout the state are trained to provide assistance in many areas; including veterans issues, immigration, Medicare and Social Security, among others. A great example of this includes a Northeast Nebraska woman who was losing her eyesight and unable to receive the medical attention she needed. My staff researched the issue with several non-profit and government agencies and eventually helped her to secure assistance so she could undergo the surgery she needed. Today, her eyesight has been restored, and she has a new outlook on life.

Another example includes a war hero who returned from Iraq and was having trouble tracking down his W-2 forms to finalize a job offer. Fearful the employer would drop the offer due to nine months of delays, the veteran contacted my office for help.  My staff worked with the National Taxpayer Advocate to obtain the forms necessary for him to start his job. Efforts like this may not always turn out so favorable, but we do everything we can to help.

A Look Ahead to 2012

Next year we must work even harder to rein in government spending and control our ballooning debt. I will continue my work with the ‘Group of Six’ to produce a meaningful debt-reduction proposal. The federal bureaucracy continues its regulatory march, and I intend to do everything I can to force commonsense and sound science to guide federal policy. 

We have tough challenges ahead in 2012, but I have faith in this shining city on the Hill, that our great nation will face these challenges head-on.  The best of wishes to you and your loved ones in the coming year, and I invite you to continue to stay connected with my office.  Whether through email, on the phone, by signing up for my e-Update, or stopping by one of my offices to say hello, your input is greatly valued and appreciated. After all, you are the reason Stephanie and I are so proud to call Nebraska our home. God bless.