We are under way for the first week of President Biden’s administration, and much has happened Including many things I am concerned about. But, let’s first address what is on the minds of many:
“When can I get vaccinated and will there be enough vaccines?”
I want to stress that the United States has been on track in terms of production to distribute 100 million doses in 100 days due to the last administration. In fact, contracts for 300 million doses of the vaccine were in place before President Biden was sworn in. If he would like to develop a new plan to administer 200 million vaccines in 100 days, I stand ready to work with him to speed up production.
I want to commend Governor Ricketts and the team at Nebraska’s Department of Health and Human Services for rolling out a great vaccine distribution plan. If you would like information on where and when you can get one, click here.
While I applaud President Bidens comments on bipartisanship and unity, his immediate actions contradict that message.
Within the first two days of taking office, President Biden signed 17 executive orders addressing the pandemic, immigration and visas, climate change, the economy, and other areas. While I like having our nation with a seat at the table in the Paris Climate Accords, I do oppose the limits agreed to by President Obama that demands immediate sacrifices by Americans but gives China over a decade before any actions are required. This will incentivize American businesses to move to China. Some call this the Chinese Chamber of Commerce plan because it hurts America’s businesses but gives a free pass to China’s for many years. We should be proud of the work our country has done to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. While our country became the largest energy producing country in the world, we also cut carbon emissions by more than the next 12 countries combined. The most recent data shows total reported GHG emissions from large facilities decreased by more than 14% from 2011 to 2019. EPA Report
Additionally, I am deeply concerned for our economy because of two energy related executive orders just signed:
- The revocation of the permit for the Keystone XL Pipeline.
- A ban for 60 days on new oil and gas drilling permits and leases for federal land and waters.
The cancellation of the Keystone permit was a punch in the gut to thousands of skilled workers in Nebraska who were counting on that construction job to feed their families and pay their bills. The President said he did this to save our climate, but all it has done is show Saudi Arabia and Venezuela that the United States is ready to buy their oil. For those wondering, TransCanada has worked to make this a carbon-neutral pipeline and construction project; the “gold-standard of sustainable development.” The pipeline was rerouted to safeguard Nebraska’s water. The results of these Biden executive orders are that we are taking a step backwards in maintaining energy independence, costing great paying union jobs and we’ve proven to be an untrustworthy partner to Canada. Nebraska will also lose property and income tax revenue that could have gone towards our schools, infrastructure, and tax relief. I have always embraced an “all of the above” approach to energy. I am proud that Omaha gets approximately 40% of its energy from renewable sources.
In short, the Executive Orders will undermine our economy and gains made in energy independence. Instead of boosting our economy and working to reopen businesses that have been curtailed or shuttered for too long, more jobs have been canceled by an action that primarily serves to satisfy special interests but not the needs of Nebraskans
Separate from the Executive Orders, I did vote in support of Lloyd Austin to be our next Secretary of Defense. He served in our military for 40 years and has a wealth of national security experience all over the world. He will provide steady leadership for our Department of Defense.
I praised the President’s inauguration speech, in which he spoke of unity and working with the other side to find common ground and help America get back on its feet after the battle with COVID. I will work to find ways we can get the mom-and-pop stores of America back open. I will seek consensus to find ways to reduce the cost of healthcare and to reform our immigration laws while upholding the rule of law.
God bless and stay healthy!
