WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 -- The Congressional Budget Office issued the following cost estimate: H.R. 1472 would change the name of the Homestead National Monument of America in the Nebraska to the Homestead National Historical Park. Based on the cost of similar efforts, CBO estimates that the cost to revise federal maps and signs to reflect the new name would be insignificant. Any spending would be subject to the availability of appropriated funds. The CBO staff contact for this estimate is David   more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 -- Sen. Tom Cotton, R-Arkansas, issued the following news release: Senators Tom Cotton (R-Arkansas) and Ben Sasse (R-Nebraska), along with Congressman Mike Gallagher (R-Wisconsin), yesterday sent a letter to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver about the league's shameful response to Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey's tweet in support of Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement. The letter warns that capitulating to China's demands is a betrayal of the league's players, employe  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 -- The Government Accountability Office has issued a report on the Maternal, Infant and Early Childhood Home Visiting program's maintenance of effort requirement. The report (GAO-19-645) is titled "Maternal and Child Home Visiting Program: HHS Determined That States Generally Met the Maintenance of Effort Requirement". The report was sent to Rep. Jackie Walorski, R-Indiana, ranking member of the House Ways and Means subcommittee on Worker and Family Support, and Rep. Adrian   more

OMAHA, Nebraska, Oct. 8 -- Rep. Don Bacon, R-Nebraska, issued the following statement regarding the importance of the Open Skies Treaty: "The Open Skies Treaty promotes understanding, trust and stability among the 34 member nations. As a signatory to the treaty, we get valuable access to Russian airspace and military airfields on short notice. "Planned upgrades to our observation aircraft and sensors will further improve our ability to monitor military activity in Russia. "I understand that  more

LINCOLN, Nebraska, Oct. 7 -- Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, R-Nebraska, issued the following statement on the Trump administration's decision to withdraw the U.S. forces from the northern border of Syria: "America cannot keep fighting other peoples' wars--but we must proceed with great caution in exiting this messy neighborhood to prevent the horror of ISIS 2.0, potential Turkish over-aggression, and a destabilization that endangers religious minorities." "I am hopeful that my Security Resolution for   more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 10 -- Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Nebraska, issued the following news release: The office of Congressman Adrian Smith (R-NE) will host Senior Service Fairs in Grand Island, Scottsbluff, and Beatrice to coincide with Medicare Open Enrollment. Officials from the Nebraska Senior Health Insurance Information Program (SHIIP) will offer one-on-one consultations on available Medicare Part D prescription drug plans. Seniors seeking assistance should bring a complete list of their prescriptio  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 -- Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Nebraska, issued the following column: It is hard to miss the importance of corn in our great state where we proudly refer to ourselves as Cornhuskers! In fact, the Midwest is often called the "Corn Belt," because corn is so integral to our economy and culture. We use every part of the plant, from feed to silage to ethanol to maximize its value. Ethanol, in particular, has been a positive economic driver for our corn producers. Focus and debate on et  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 -- Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Nebraska, issued the following column: In the private sector, bonuses are awarded to employees who do great work for their employers--not to those who commit serious violations or crimes. Federal sector employees should be treated no differently. That is why I re-introduced the Stop Improper Federal Bonuses Act (S.2119) this summer, which would prohibit federal agencies from giving bonuses to employees who have committed conduct or legal violations. Ri  more

OMAHA, Nebraska, Oct. 10 -- Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Nebraska, issued the following statement after visiting a volunteer team serving Habitat for Humanity of Omaha as they work to build affordable housing in the Omaha area: "It was so great to visit the team serving Habitat for Humanity of Omaha as they work to ensure that Omaha families have roofs over their heads. "Their dedication to helping Nebraskans is admirable and they are a perfect representation of the generous spirit of the Good Life."   more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 8 -- Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Nebraska, chairman of the Senate Commerce subcommittee on Transportation and Safety, issued the following statement after Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced the Rural Opportunities to Use Transportation for Economic Success Initiative, which will examine rural transportation needs and provide information to stakeholders on how to access federal grants: "It's good to see the DoT focusing on infrastructure needs in rural America. "I encourag  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 -- Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Nebraska, a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, issued the following statement after President Trump signed the text of trade agreements with Japan: "This agreement between the U.S. and Japan is a victory for Nebraska's farmers, ranchers, and ethanol producers. "By securing reduced tariffs on a variety of exports like beef, pork and ethanol, this agreement expands markets for Nebraska's great ag products. "I appreciate the administration's   more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 -- Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Nebraska, issued the following statement on what he calls an unconstitutional attack by ex-Rep. Beto O'Rourke, D-Texas, on churches, synagogues and mosques that do not perform same-sex marriages. "Last night, Beto O'Rourke said that churches, hospitals, and charities -- folks who are serving their communities and loving their neighbors -- should lose their tax-exempt status if their religious convictions don't fall in line with his progressive politics.   more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 -- Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Nebraska, issued the following statement on the National Basketball Association's apology to the Chinese Communist Party: "Basketball fans and the American people more broadly should have absolutely no doubt about what is happening here: The NBA wants money, and the Communist Party of China is asking them to deny the most basic of human rights. "In response, the NBA issued a statement saying money is the most important thing."  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 11 -- Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Nebraska, issued the following statement regarding President Trump's announcement that the U.S. and China are close to a possible trade deal: "Everyone in Nebraska hopes that the President is able to get a good trade deal across the finish line in the next few weeks of negotiation. "Trade is a win-win for our farmers and ranchers. "I'm also pleased that Trade Representative Lighthizer has said that Huawei, the crown jewel of China's espionage network  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 7 -- Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Nebraska, a member of the Senate Intelligence Committee, issued the following statement regarding the Trump administration's announced retreat from the Syria-Turkey border: "If the President sticks with this retreat, he needs to know that this bad decision will likely result in the slaughter of allies who fought with us, including women and children. "I hope the President will listen to his generals and reconsider. "And before Turkey butchers innocent  more

WASHINGTON, Oct. 9 -- Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Nebraska, issued the following news release: Senator Ben Sasse (R-NE) and Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI), alongside Rep. Tom Malinowski (D-NJ), and other Members of Congress, today sent a letter to NBA Commissioner Adam Silver expressing concerns over the league's response to Houston Rockets General Manager Daryl Morey's tweet in support of Hong Kong's pro-democracy movement. The bipartisan, bicameral letter also warns of the threat that capitulating to Chine  more