The Nebraska State Chamber of Commerce hosted a three-day DC Fly-In Virtual Hill Visits from Oct. 27-29, which gave elected representatives a chance to talk about Nebraska's continued growth to prominent members of Nebraska's business sector.
These speakers included all three of Nebraska's Representatives in the House and both Senators. They were asked by members of the Nebraska Chamber of Commerce on numerous questions ranging from business to immigration.
The state's three members of the House spoke on Oct. 28 about various issues they saw both in Washington and back in Nebraska. Rep. Don Bacon of Omaha said political parties in Washington can come together for a pathway to citizenship for “law-abiding immigrants.”
Nebraska's Third Congressional District Representative Adrian Smith said those elected to Washington should come together to lower healthcare costs, as well as other expenses on taxpayers, but not raise taxes on businesses in a stressed economic climate.
Nebraska's Second Congressional District Representative Jeff Fortenberry said he'd like to see an extension to the Paycheck Prevention Program and more rapid-testing for the coronavirus.
“That's a way we can turn the corner quickly so that we could normalize what we're looking at when battling the virus,” Fortenberry said.
All three of those Representatives agreed the integrity of the election results aren't in doubt and that America should remain vigilant against possible foreign interference. All three used different words to describe their dislike for the murder of George Floyd and all three categorically condemned violence as a response.
“Those who get violent actually undermine the idea of justice,” Fortenberry said.
Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer said the state's continued economic growth is encouraging. She cited a 33% annual rate increase, which is the fastest rate recovery on record, although it follows one of the worst second-quarters on record. Fischer credited the Paycheck Prevention Program, that was funded through the CARES Act.
Through the PPP, Fischer said, Nebraska was able to save 3,000 jobs with an average loan size of $83,000.
“Those are success stories,” she said. “We also wanted to continue that program and make sure that we could do that.”
Fischer said one of her main goals in Washington is improving infrastructure to maintain commerce growth. She said the Nebraska's seen $35 million invested in urban transit, $27 million invested in rural transit and more money dedicated for airports.
Fischer said she'd like to see some additional relief.
“We're in recovery now and we have to look at things a little bit differently,” she said. “There's still some need out there. I want to help the small businesses, which are a strength out here.”
Both the House of Representatives and Senate passed addition relief bills but neither has seen the floor for serious discussion inside the other Congressional institution.
Senator Ben Sasse addressed a multitude of topics while answering similar questions his colleagues answered throughout the virtual town hall.
Sasse said it's important to look at addressing immigration. He also said American industry continues to move towards automation because technology has replaced repetitive human tasks. Sasse said he'd like to see American companies head that movement in technology instead of outsource jobs to Asia.
“We're going to need presidential leadership to organize that discussion of immigration reform that are needed,” Sasse said.
Also, in terms of technology, Sasse said American needs to not be ignorant of the long-term technology race with the ruling political party in China. If China gains a quantum solution, Sasse said, it would transform the geopolitical map.
Sasse also said freedom of speech on college campuses should be addressed, as well as bias from social media companies in what appears on someone's social media feed.
