A Safer Place to Live

June 12, 2026 Columns As we approach the 250th anniversary of our great nation, I often find myself reflecting on the miracle of the American experience. As a sixth‑generation 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. Across Nebraska’s Third District, the American dream still runs strong. It is no coincidence our state continues to be ranked among the best places to live, work, and raise a family. Here, children can still explore the outdoors, ride their bikes across town, or spend summers at the local pool without worry. This sense of safety and stability is rooted in one of our core values: upholding the rule of law. In Nebraska, we support the men and women who protect our communities. At a time when law enforcement officers across the country face constant criticism, I remain steadfast in my support for them. Their work is essential to preserving the safe, tight‑knit communities that make Nebraska special. Recent events have required our commitment to law and order to take a new sense of urgency. For four years, President Biden’s open‑border policies allowed dangerous individuals to enter our country, threatening to wreak havoc in communities across our nation. While Nebraska is not a border state, the Biden administration’s failed border policies made border security a national issue, allowing dangerous criminals who entered the country illegally to impact communities nationwide. Today, under President Trump, our once‑open southern border is now secure with illegal border crossings at an all-time low for the twelfth consecutive month. Additionally, our brave federal law enforcement officers are working tirelessly to remove the dangerous criminals who entered during the Biden Administration. In Nebraska’s Third District alone, federal law enforcement officers have arrested individuals wanted for sexual assault in Dakota City, a suspect with terrorist ties in Grand Island, and a narcotics drug trafficker in Gering. These cases represent a fraction of the thousands of dangerous individuals who crossed into our country under the prior administration. This is why supporting federal law enforcement is essential. Their work directly contributes to the safety and security that Nebraskans rely on. Recently, the House passed the Secure America Act to ensure these efforts continue. This legislation—now signed into law by President Trump—provides long‑overdue funding and ensures that these critical security measures cannot be derailed. It strengthens the tools and resources our officers need to keep Americans safe and reinforces our commitment to a secure border. It also prevents Democrats from derailing continued efforts to keep our border secure. At the end of the day, every Nebraskan deserves to feel safe in their community, and removing these dangerous criminals is essential to achieving this goal. Moving forward, I will continue to support our law enforcement officers and their efforts to make Nebraska a safer place for all.