Regular readers of this space know that three or four times a year we hold a hypothetical news conference in which we pose questions for Nebraska’s Congressional delegation. While the calendar pointed toward March for the next faux event, the world is moving apace, so we’re checking in with our elected quintet. 

In no particular order of importance… let’s query:

As of last week Nebraskans were paying more for groceries, automobiles, services, airline tickets and a roster of other items than they did a year ago, with a 20% increase in coffee and a 15% jump in beef prices leading the way. Some costs are down, but job growth nationally has slowed, sending the unemployment rate to 4.4% compared to 3.7% a year ago. Consumer confidence is at its lowest mark in 12 years. A recent Wall Street Journal headline announced that U.S. manufacturing is “in retreat.” What is Congress’ role in addressing the sputtering economy given the promises the President made to voters during the 2024 campaign?

Each of you voted to open the “Epstein files,” a law which set Dec. 19, 2025, as the deadline for release of all the documents in the files. Seven weeks late and with millions of redacted pages remaining in the file, the DOJ wants to call it good. Should there be a consequence for the stonewalling, a sea of unexplained redactions and the failure to fulfill the spirit and letter of the law? If so, what? If not, why?

As Congress debates modifications to raids carried out by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement and Customs and Border Patrol (CBP), one change Democrats are seeking is that both ICE and CBP agents should, like local police, sheriffs and even the FBI, be unmasked. The government’s argument for masks is that attacks on immigration agents have dramatically increased. But unmasked officers of the law outside of ICE or Border Patrol have “a death rate 6.3 times higher than that of immigration enforcement officers,” according to a Cato Institute analysis. Odds of an ICE or CBP agent “being murdered in the line of duty is … about 5.5 times less likely than a civilian being murdered.” Please explain your position on whether ICE and CBP agents should be masked?

Without any evidence, a number of government officials, including the Homeland Security Secretary, Kristi Noem, called Renee Good and Alex Pretti — both of whom immigration agents shot and killed in Minneapolis — domestic terrorists. How should Americans, who saw both killings on video, respond to such lies?

It’s been said that you can’t legislate morality. Even so, how does the detaining and incarceration of a five-year old square with your own moral compass?

Sadly, we asked this question about the war in Gaza last December. Now we update it. As of last week 509 Palestinians, many of whom were women and children, have been killed by Israeli air strikes during a ceasefire. The Palestinian death toll now exceeds 70,000. Over 2,000 Israelis — soldiers and civilians — have been killed both during the Oct. 7 attack by Hamas and in the ensuing war. Israel also continues air strikes into southern Lebanon to eradicate Hezbollah. Given such deadly numbers during a ceasefire, the continual erosion of stability in the region and the unnoteworthy beginnings of the “Board of Peace,” what’s your thinking on the future of Gaza?

The president on several occasions has floated the idea of “nationalizing elections,” which, as you know, he can’t do. Will you speak out against such an unconstitutional ploy if he continues to push the idea? If yes, what will you say? If not, why not?

Do you believe that the efficacy of the measles vaccine is the best way to prevent the spread of the disease? If not, what’s better? If so, what’s your role in refuting other, unscientific treatments and does it include challenging the authority of the Secretary of Health and Human Services? 

Any thoughts on the undoing of the Kennedy Center?

Finally, a thread of misinformation that the 2020 presidential election was rigged and corrupt continues to snake its way through the political landscape. No credible evidence exists to prove such a claim, despite the White House suggesting otherwise. The Nebraska State Legislature even has a bill in the hopper based on the unfounded notion that scores of non-citizens vote and have voted in numbers that would change results. You may have already addressed the issue before. Still, in light of this latest rabble of nonsense, would any of you be willing to go on the record now saying that the 2020 election was secure and fair?

This opinion was published by Nebraska Examiner, an editorially independent newsroom providing a hard-hitting, daily flow of news. Read the original opinion: https://nebraskaexaminer.com/2026/02/09/news-travels-fast-we-have-questions/