Far from finished

These past 30 years have been marked by many blessings for Stephanie and me. Being granted the tremendous privilege to represent a state I love and address issues important to Nebraskans has been one of the greatest honors of my life.

As the seasons change, there is a time to plant and a time to reap what has been sown. And while I have decided not to seek reelection in 2014, we are far from the harvest.

This Congress is just getting started and we have plenty to accomplish in the next two years.

In the Senate, I will continue to push for a resolution to our budgetary woes. As I have before, I will collaborate with colleagues on both sides of the aisle to seek meaningful solutions to reverse the tide of our growing spending and debt.

As the Administration continues to entangle innovators and job creators in a web of red tape, I will keep pushing for increased accountability and the elimination of unnecessary regulations by federal bureaucrats bent on controlling every facet of business. I recently introduced four bills to do just that, requiring greater transparency from the biggest offender, namely the Environmental Protection Agency, which has stifled much creativity and growth.

The ongoing drought across the state and nation underscores the need for a new long-term farm bill that provides ag producers the risk management tools they need to keep feeding and fueling America. Passing a reform-minded, fiscally responsible farm bill remains among my top priorities.

In Nebraska, I've worked over the years to advance many important projects involving the federal government, which I intend to support and strengthen throughout the remainder of my tenure.

Ongoing ventures like a new VA hospital in Omaha and VA cemetery in Sarpy County will significantly benefit our state. In 2009 as a member of the Veterans' Affairs Committee, I hosted a field hearing in Nebraska highlighting the need for upgrades to the hospital facility, which has since been added to the VA's list of construction priorities. I plan to discuss the progress of these projects with VA Secretary Shinseki in the coming weeks, and I will keep pressing for action so we can continue to serve our veterans.

A much needed new Strategic Command (STRATCOM) facility at Offutt Air Force Base is being built, which is important to our nation's security. With construction expected to take several years, it's important to ensure plans stay on track.

STRATCOM's new partnership with the University of Nebraska (NU) provides a unique opportunity for researchers in our state to collaborate with the unified command, engineering new technologies and other innovations that will help to keep us safe. The potential for this research is enormous and I look forward to being a strong advocate for its expansion.

These are just a few priorities on the docket this Congress. I'm excited for the opportunities these issues present for our state and nation. And while I am looking forward to spending more time with my family beginning in 2015, my work in the Senate is far from complete. I have no intension of stepping on the brakes. Rather, my staff and I will be full throttle for the next two years. I am focused on being the very best Senator I can be for Nebraska until the day I turn the keys over to your next Senator.