Nebraska is a state of distances, and we understand the importance of our highway system in order to promote commerce, in order to promote the safety of citizens all across our state, in order to connect us all.

The Federal Government plays an important role in the funding and the managing of our national infrastructure system.

I believe infrastructure is a core responsibility, a core priority for government, and at the Federal level I believe it is only second to our national security.

Without efficient, secure, and reliable infrastructure, our country will falter.

I do agree with Senator Barrasso that our government needs to work with Native people in developing their resources.

This is not acceptable.

I can tell you, in visiting with people at the University of Nebraska, they are looking at offering veterans the opportunity to come and receive advanced degrees in this area to try and produce more graduates.

I think certainly from a perspective of multiple use, and recognizing the outstanding recreational values in many of these wilderness study areas certainly needs to be part of the conservation relative to them.

NEPA is a complex piece of legislation. It has its merits and its downfalls.

The local forest personnel is saying that the NEPA analysis would be $2, $3 million, 2 to 3 years' worth of analysis.

Without them, we could not maintain a strong and effective nuclear deterrent.

There is little disagreement that the nuclear weapons complex must be modernized.

we must not allow regional actors, such as North Korea, to hold U.S. policy hostage by making our citizens vulnerable to a nuclear intercontinental ballistic missile attack.

Do you believe that there is sufficient funding in the out-years so that you are going to keep that 2025 date for the first production unit?

I think the fragmentation of leadership needs to be addressed to make this scenario work.

I am particularly concerned about EPA's proposed guidance to clarify regulatory jurisdiction over U.S. waters and wetlands.

We believe that local natural resources management is more successful than EPA's top-down command and control Federal approach.

Regulations must be made on sound, publicly available science, subject to a thorough cost-benefit analysis, and promulgated through a transparent public notice and comment process.