In the News

Republicans introduce bipartisan, bicameral DEFEND Act

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As global threats from Iranian backed-extremists continue rising, Republicans joined their colleagues on the bipartisan, bicameral Abraham Accords Caucus to introduce a bill that aims to unite America’s Middle East partners. The bipartisan, bicameral Deterring Enemy Forces and Enabling National Defenses (DEFEND) Act of 2022, H.R. 7987/S. 4366, is a joint effort by Congress to develop a…

Nebraska representatives vote against House gun control bills

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LINCOLN — Nebraska’s representatives stayed with their fellow Republicans and voted against two gun control bills that passed the U.S. House of Representatives this week. Both Reps. Don Bacon and Adrian Smith, R-Neb., voted against H.R. 7910, which would raise the age limit for purchasing a semiautomatic rifle and prohibit the sale of ammunition magazines with a capacity of more…

US lawmakers aim to integrate defense systems of Israel, Arab states against Iran

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Bipartisan groups of US lawmakers in both the House and the Senate introduced legislation on Thursday aimed at creating an integrated air defense system to boost cooperation between Israel and neighboring Arab states against Iran. The Deterring Enemy Forces and Enabling National Defenses (DEFEND) Act is the latest effort in the US to bolster the Abraham Accords normalization agreements…

Abraham Accords Caucus urges integrated Middle East air-defense program

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In its first legislative initiative since its founding earlier this year, the Abraham Accords Caucus, comprised of members of both the House and Senate, introduced legislation on Thursday to encourage the U.S. to pursue a joint missile-defense architecture with Israel and the U.S.’s Arab allies and partners in the Middle East — including Saudi Arabia and Iraq. The…

McMorris Rodgers, Abraham Accords Caucus Introduce Bill to Unite Middle East Partners Against Iranian Aggression?

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Washington, D.C. – Eastern Washington Congresswoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA-05) and members of the Abraham Accords Caucus in the House and Senate today introduced legislation to unite Middle East partners as global threats from Iran and Iranian backed-extremists continue to rise. The bipartisan, bicameral Deterring Enemy Forces and Enabling National Defenses (DEFEND)…

Collins unveils bipartisan Autism Family Caregivers Act

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U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) recently introduced the bipartisan Autism Family Caregivers Act of 2022, which would provide skills training to family caregivers of children with autism. Sen. Collins on May 12 signed on as the lead original cosponsor with bill sponsor U.S. Sen. Robert Menendez (D-NJ) of S. 4198, which is companion legislation to the same-named H.R. 6783, sponsored in…

HOUSE AG COMMITTEE SEES GROWTH OPPORTUNITIES FOR SNAP IN THE NEXT FARM BILL

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Members of the House Ag Committee say protecting nutrition assistance programs in the next farm bill could help strengthen America’s food system. During a subcommittee hearing Wednesday, Don Bacon of Nebraska said he would like to change parts of the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program. “We have a real opportunity to promote the consumption of healthy foods.  What we’re doing…

U.S. cybersecurity congressional outlook for the rest of 2022

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As the 117th Congress moves into summer, typically the time for legislative doldrums, it's helpful to look back at recently enacted cybersecurity-related legislation and peer ahead to see what bills could become law before the end of the year. Since the beginning of the current Congress on January 3, 2021, at least 498 pieces of legislation have been introduced that deal in…

Collins’ Federal Firefighters Fairness Act headed to full Senate for action

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The U.S. Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee on May 25 advanced a bipartisan bill introduced by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) that would provide federal workers’ compensation to firefighters who contract certain illnesses as a result of their service. The full chamber will now consider the Federal Firefighters Fairness Act, S. 1116, which Sen. Collins…

Senate Passes Bill Naming Benson Post Office After Nebraska WWII Hero

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Tags: Veterans

OMAHA — Nearly 80 years after Charles Jackson French saved 15 fellow sailors’ lives, the U.S. Senate voted Thursday to put his name on a local post office. President Joe Biden has 10 days to sign the bill. Japanese forces had just attacked the USS Gregory on Sept. 5, 1942. The ship was sinking, and 15 injured sailors were stranded. Petty Officer 1st Class French tied on a rope, jumped…