WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, R-Nebraska, issued the following column: This sacrificial time for our nation--the social distancing, the changing of habits and routines, and, for those in business, the closures, the loss, the negative multipliers of economic contraction--is very painful. Most people are embracing this moment with understanding, good cheer, and a strong national spirit. Whether it be for Easter or Passover, many Americans customarily use this time of year to ref  more

WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Rep. Don Bacon, R-Nebraska, issued the following news release: With the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's latest recommendation, masks are becoming an important way to stop the spread of the coronavirus. With so many people trying to get their hands on them, every mask counts for health care workers and first responders. The Nebraska Chinese Association teamed up with Nebraska Congressman Don Bacon to donate 10,000 masks to health centers and sheriff's departm  more

OMAHA, Nebraska, April 9 -- Rep. Don Bacon, R-Nebraska, issued the following news release: Congressman Don Bacon, alongside the Nebraska Chinese Association, donated more masks to healthcare workers and first responders at the Charles Drew and OneWorld Community Health Centers on Tuesday. In addition to delivering masks, the congressman awarded funding via the Cares Act through the Health Resources and Services Administration grant service office. https://www.3newsnow.com/news/coronavirus/don  more

OMAHA, Nebraska, April 9 -- Rep. Don Bacon, R-Nebraska, issued the following news release: Congressman Don Bacon has received notification that two local community health centers will receive federal funding to assist with their operations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants are authorized as part of the "Health Center Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act Funding" and administered through the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) Grant Service Office. T  more

LINCOLN, Nebraska, April 9 -- Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, R-Nebraska, issued the following news release: Congressman Jeff Fortenberry (NE-1) offered the following statement after discussions with key members of the White House Coronavirus Task Force. "I just finished a call with Vice President Pence, Dr. Fauci, Dr. Birx, and Treasury Secretary Mnuchin. A hint of good news: In the early crisis states of California and Washington, social distancing is working," Fortenberry said. "Administrator Seema  more

LINCOLN, Nebraska, April 9 -- Rep. Jeff Fortenberry, R-Nebraska, issued the following news release: Congressman Jeff Fortenberry (NE-1) offered the following statement on the $349 billion Payment Protection Program (PPP) rolled out last week to help small businesses across America pay and retain their employees. "The Paycheck Protection Program for small businesses is working--helping our communities fight through this virus," Fortenberry said. "It's so popular that Congress needs to give it a  more

WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Nebraska, issued the following column: Join Congressman Smith, the Nebraska District Office of the Small Business Administration, and other speakers to learn about programs in the CARES Act which could help your small business during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. Preregistration is required, and can be done here>>>bit.ly/2wVQloR For additional information, please contract Congressman Smith's Grand Island office at (308) 384-3900.  more

WASHINGTON, April 5 -- Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Nebraska, issued the following column: Congressman Adrian Smith released the following statement after President Trump approved Governor Ricketts request for a major disaster declaration due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic: "Nebraskans have taken drastic, but necessary measures to stop the spread of COVID-19, and it is clear a major disaster declaration is appropriate. Though this unprecedented time may be difficult and the preventative actions dema  more

WASHINGTON, April 11 -- Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Nebraska, issued the following column: As the worldwide COVID-19 pandemic continues, most of our attention has been focused on fighting this disease and the economic consequences of our response. While we continue the fight this disease, we must also be sure to not let our guard down against fraud. Recently, there have been numerous reports of scams taking advantage of this pandemic. In the 21st century we are blessed with innumerable means of commu  more

WASHINGTON, April 10 -- Rep. Adrian Smith, R-Nebraska, issued the following news release: Congressmen Adrian Smith and Jodey Arrington led over 70 Members of Congress in writing Secretary of Treasury Steven Mnuchin and Administrator of the U.S. Small Business Administration Jovita Carranza to request the inclusion of county- and community-owned rural hospitals and Rural Health Clinics (RHCs) in the Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) and other financial assistance programs created by the CARES Ac  more

LINCOLN, Nebraska, April 8 -- Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Nebraska, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, released the following statement after taking actions toward solutions for cattle producers affected by the outbreak of COVID-19. These actions include calls for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the Senate Judiciary Committee to look into potential anticompetitive behavior in the beef packing industry. "I've  more

WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Nebraska, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) joined 15 of her Senate colleagues in writing a letter to the Trump administration urging flexibility for how state and local governments can use funds included in the Coronavirus Relief Fund. The Coronavirus Relief Fund, created in Section 601 of the recently passed CARES Act, provides each state a minimum of $1.25 billion in funding to address the impacts of the COVID-19   more

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Nebraska, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, joined 14 of her Senate colleagues in sending a letter to the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) requesting additional funds be allocated to the biofuel industry through the Commodity Credit Corporation (CCC) during the unprecedented economic circumstances brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic. "As the country follows the advi  more

WASHINGTON, April 6 -- Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Nebraska, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) released the following statement after President Donald Trump approved a request from Gov. Ricketts for a major disaster declaration for Nebraska. This declaration will make federal funding available to assist Nebraska in combatting the outbreak of COVID-19. "I thank President Trump for approving a disaster declaration for Nebraska. This decision will unlock additional fede  more

WASHINGTON, April 7 -- Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Nebraska, issued the following column: Nebraskans are tough, resilient, and generous. Our strength of character is revealed on an everyday basis, but it's especially illuminated during difficult times like we are facing right now with the COVID-19 pandemic. From distilleries and ethanol plants contributing to hand sanitizer production to school districts continuing to provide meals for students in need, the stories I have heard about Nebraskans' collec  more

LINCOLN, Nebraska, April 9 -- Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Nebraska, issued the following news release: The U.S. Department of Agriculture decided that they will expand the investigation into pricing margins that was launched following the Holcomb, Kansas fire to include potential unfair market practices during the COVID-19 crisis. U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee yesterday sent a letter calling for this exact action by USDA. "After hearing from so many Ne  more

WASHINGTON, April 6 -- Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Nebraska, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Ben Sasse, a member of the Senate Finance Committee, will introduce the Relief for Rural Providers During Emergencies Act. The legislation, which should be considered in the next round of emergency relief, will provide regulatory relief for hard-hit providers during the coronavirus pandemic. "Americans are going to beat this virus," said Senator Sasse. "Our health providers have been fighting day  more

WASHINGTON, April 8 -- Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Nebraska, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Ben Sasse, a member of the Senate Finance and Banking Committees, urged the Treasury Department and Small Business Administration to improve Nebraskans' access to the Paycheck Protection Program. "Nebraska businesses are fighting to stay alive, and we've got to fight to make sure they have what they need to weather this crisis," said Senator Sasse separately. "I'm working with the Trump administr  more

WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Nebraska, issued the following statement after Gov. Pete Ricketts proclaimed this Sunday as a statewide day of prayer in Nebraska: "On Easter Sunday -- the day Christians celebrate Christ's victory over death -- our family, like so many across Nebraska, will again ask our Lord for His love and mercy during this crisis. For the doctors and nurses fighting this virus, we ask for wisdom. "For the families stretching to make ends meet, we ask for strength.  more

WASHINGTON, April 9 -- Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Nebraska, issued the following news release: U.S. Senator Ben Sasse, a staunch advocate for Nebraska farmers and ranchers, wrote to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission, urging them to review market volatility and increasing widening of boxed beef prices to live cattle prices. "Nebraskans are hustling to feed the world and it is important we have an open and transparent price discovery in the markets," said Senator Sasse. "Our farmers and ranchers h  more