Opinions

“Play’s at first!” Whether you are on the first baseline watching a little league baseball game in a Nebraska burg or sitting in Kauffman Stadium, there is not likely a more familiar an‑nouncement amid the celebra‑tion of America’s pastime. It’s simple, it’s direct, and, in specific situations, it is a gentle hint.

As we approach the 250th anniversary of our great nation, I often find myself re‑flecting on the miracle of the American expe‑rience. As a sixth‑gen‑eration Nebraskan, I am proud to call it home. It is where I grew up, where I chose to raise my family, and for whom I have the privilege of serving in Congress.

The perfect picture. That is always the goal.

Every day, I go to work in Congress with a simple goal: to help make life a little better for Nebraska’s families by working to solve problems, strengthen our communities, and create opportunities for the next generation.

Hilton, Marriott, Holiday Inn Express, Cobblestone were all represented. Piled amid the discarded receipts for stamps, groceries, and nights on the town, plus loose change and an assortment of pens whose ink had long ago run dry, was the pile of hotel key cards.

Six years ago, Washington managed to do something many people thought was impossible. Amidst President Trump’s first term and Democrat leadership in the U.S. House of Representatives, Republicans and Democrats came together to enact the United States-Mexico- Canada Agreement (USMCA).

I was on to the next burg, county, or time zone, whichever came next. He, on the other hand, was in no hurry.

In Congress, I work every day to make the American Dream more attainable by advancing commonsense policies that strengthen our communities, support working families, and preserve the values that make our nation great.

This week is National Police Week. In Nebraska, we Back the Blue. Officers across our state work hard to prevent crime and protect families. They face danger and serve with courage. That’s why this week – and every week – they deserve our gratitude.

On Sunday, I did something that I hadn’t done for many, many years. I walked into a graduation ceremony, not as a reporter looking for the perfect story or the perfect photograph, but as a graduate’s family member, there simply to celebrate a major milestone in a relative’s life.