Podcast appearances and mentions of pete ricketts

Osborn, the populist independent who ran a surprisingly close campaign for a Senate seat in Nebraska last year, is back for another run in the 2026 midterms. A steamfitter and union member, he says he naturally connects with other workers drawing paychecks who are feeling the squeeze. And he likes to point out that his opponent last time took money from corporate donors; but this time, his opponent is a corporate donor—incumbent Pete Ricketts, one of the wealthiest members of Congress. Plus, the pain from tariffs on Main Street, the inhumanity of masked ICE agents, and the peril for Democrats if they can't figure out how to talk to Trump voters. Dan Osborn joins Tim Miller for the weekend pod. show notes Tucker talking about home ownership and the American dream Tim's playlist Get 15% off OneSkin with the code BULWARK at https://www.oneskin.co/ #oneskinpod Start your new morning ritual & get up to 43% off your @MUDWTR with code THEBULWARK at mudwtr.com/THEBULWARK! #mudwtrpod

The summer of 2025 has been a time of chaos. A time of confusion. And a time of distress for many Americans. But for independent Americans it's been a little bit different. In between all of the moments of turmoil have been glimmers of hope, a chance at a better future. And that better future is being driven by independents. From Jim Walden's upstart mayoral campaign in New York City to the Badlands of South Dakota and Brian Bengs' renegade Senate run, to last episode's guest from the great state of Idaho, Todd Achilles — there's been a lot coming from independents to get excited about.  And now there's more! Independent Navy vet Dan Osborn (@OsbornForSenate) is back in the fight. And this time, he's running against Nebraska's other MAGA Republican Senator billionaire: Pete Ricketts. It's the ultimate David vs Goliath showdown. And this time, Dan's got some experience, a network, name recognition and is hitting the ground running. Dan served in the Navy and later joined the Army National Guard. He's a steamfitter, industrial mechanic, and a badass labor union leader. He led a successful strike at Kellogg's Omaha plant in 2021. And ran for Senate in 2024–narrowly losing to incumbent Deb Fischer. But at the same time, Dan laid down the foundation for this run while inspiring a new generation of independent leaders across the country. His race was a direct challenge to the party system and it showed everyone a new way to run—and offered a new vision for what a political race can look like. If you've listened to the show for a while now, you'll know Dan and what he's meant to the movement. If you're new here, get ready to get fired up. In the immortal words of Vin Diesel, “We live for this….” Stuff.  And there's more as your host Paul Rieckhoff (@PaulRieckhoff) rips into Ukraine, Waltz, SignalGate, Hegseth and all of the latest national security news that you need to stay on top of. And a megadose of inspiration with a quick hit on Youman Wilder—a New York City little league coach that stood up to ICE and has inspired millions. Because Independent Americans is built on the Righteous Media 5 Is: independence, integrity, information, inspiration and impact. And this episode has it in spades. Independent Americans is your trusted place for independent news, politics, inspiration and hope. It's the truth beyond the headlines–and light to contrast the heat of other politics and news shows. It's built for the 49% of Americans that proudly call themselves independent and we're proud to stand with you.  -Learn more about Dan Osborn and his race on his campaign website.  -Join the movement. Hook into our exclusive Patreon community of Independent Americans. Get extra content, connect with guests, meet other Independent Americans, attend events, get merch discounts, and support this show that speaks truth to power.  -WATCH video of Paul and Dan's conversation. -NEW! Watch the video version of the entire podcast here. -Check the hashtag #LookForTheHelpers. And share yours.  -Find us on social media or www.IndependentAmericans.us. And get cool IA and Righteous hats, t-shirts and other merch.  -Check out other Righteous podcasts like The Firefighters Podcast with Rob Serra, Uncle Montel - The OG of Weed and B Dorm.  Independent Americans is powered by veteran-owned and led Righteous Media. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

[00:09:07] Karen House   [00:18:26] Sen. Roger Marshall   [00:36:51] Sen. Pete Ricketts   [00:55:14] Kendall Qualls   [01:13:38] Sen. Markwayne Mullin   [01:32:02] Tomi Lahren Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

As the 2026 election cycle takes shape, three stories signal how the political terrain is shifting: the return of Iowa to early-state relevance, the emergence of an independent challenge in Nebraska, and the Republican Party's willingness to get aggressive — fast.Iowa Democrats are pushing to reclaim their first-in-the-nation status — and they're doing it with or without national party approval. Senator Ruben Gallego is already promoting visits, and the message is clear: Iowa is back. For Democrats, this matters. The state has long served as a proving ground for insurgent campaigns, offering low costs, civic-minded voters, and a tight-knit media ecosystem. Barack Obama's 2008 breakthrough began in Iowa for a reason. It rewards organization, retail politics, and real ground games.The party's 2024 decision to downgrade Iowa was framed as a gesture to Black voters in states like South Carolina and Georgia. In reality, it was a strategic retreat by Joe Biden to avoid a poor showing. That backfired when Dean Phillips forced an awkward New Hampshire campaign and Biden had to rely on a write-in effort. Now, Iowa's utility is being rediscovered — not because it changed, but because the party's strategy failed. For candidates who want to win on message and mechanics, Iowa remains unmatched.In Nebraska, Dan Osborne is trying to chart a different kind of path — not as a Democrat, but as an independent with populist instincts. Running against Senator Pete Ricketts, Osborne is leaning into a class-focused campaign. His ads channel a blue-collar ethos: punching walls, working with his hands, and taking on the rich. He doesn't have to answer for Biden. He doesn't have to pick sides in old partisan fights. He just has to be relatable and viable.That independence could be Osborne's biggest asset — or his biggest liability. His support for Bernie Sanders invites the question: is he a true outsider, or a Democrat in disguise? Sanders has always caucused with Democrats and run on their ticket. Osborne will have to prove he can remain politically distinct while tapping into a coalition broad enough to win in a deeply red state. Nebraska voters might give him a chance, but they'll need a reason to believe he's not just another version of what they already know.And then there's the tone of the campaign itself. The National Republican Senatorial Committee is already running attack ads that border on X-rated. A recent spot reads aloud hashtags from a sexually explicit tweet in a bid to link opponents with cultural extremes. The strategy is clear: bypass policy, bypass biography — go straight for discomfort. Make voters associate the opposition with something taboo. Make the election feel like a moral emergency.These tactics aren't about persuasion. They're about turnout. They aim to harden the base, suppress moderates, and flood the discourse with outrage. The fact that it's happening this early suggests Republicans see 2026 as a high-stakes cycle where no race can be taken for granted. And if this is how they're starting, the tone by next summer could be even more toxic.All of this — Iowa's return, Osborne's challenge, the NRSC's messaging — points to a midterm cycle already in motion. The personalities are distinct. The tactics are evolving. But the stakes, as ever, are the same: power, perception, and the battle to define the political future before anyone casts a vote.Chapters00:00:00 - Intro00:01:56 - Midterm Ads00:15:18 - Interview with Dave Levinthal00:37:31 - Update00:38:11 - Ken Paxton and the Texas Senate Race00:43:02 - Congressional Districts00:47:31 - Fed Chair00:52:42 - Interview with Dave Levinthal (con't)01:11:22 - Wrap-up This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.politicspoliticspolitics.com/subscribe

This information and scripts for emails and phone calls are available here: https://plantnebraska.org/how-to-help/advocacy.html The President's proposed Fiscal Year 2026 “Skinny Budget” threatens to eliminate the U.S. Forest Service's State, Private, and Tribal Forestry (SPTF) programs—a move that would have devastating consequences for communities, volunteer fire departments, landowners, and forests across Nebraska. These programs directly support wildfire prevention, volunteer fire departments, reforestation, community forestry, forest health, and rural economic resilience. Their elimination would leave Nebraska communities without the resources, tools, and partnerships needed to protect lives, property, and the environment.  These programs provide funding for various community forestry activities, including: NFS technical assistance to help communities make informed decisions, such as tree inventories, inventory software access, evaluation of at-risk trees, arborist training, municipal staff training, tree board assistance, ordinance drafting, forest management support, and much more.   Support for programs like Tree City USA, Tree Care workshops, and events.  Arborist support includes low-cost or free CEU trainings and arborist prep. Forest health diagnostics and monitoring.  Pass-through funding for initiatives like the Free Tree for Fall Tree Planting program and the IRA.  In addition, federal funding provides: Equipment and training for volunteer fire districts Wildfire mitigation funding Forest management activities.  You can take immediate action to help preserve these essential programs by:  1. Contact Nebraska's Congressional Delegation Reach out to your Representative and U.S. Senators by phone, email, or letter and urge them to protect funding for SPTF programs in the FY 2026 budget. You can find contact information for Nebraska's federal delegation here:  Senator Deb Fischer: https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/?p=email-deb Washington, D.C. office (202) 224-6551 Senator Pete Ricketts: https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/contact/share-your-opinion/  Washington, D.C. office (202) 224-4224  Find your U.S. House Representative: https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative  District 1: Congressman Mike Flood: https://flood.house.gov/contact  Washington, D.C. office  (202) 225-4806  District 2: Congressman Don Bacon: https://bacon.house.gov/contact/  Washington, D.C. office (202) 225-4155  District 3:  Congressman Adrian, Smith: https://adriansmith.house.gov/address_authentication?form=/contact  Washington, D.C. office (202) 225-6435  2. Share Your Story When you reach out,  please be specific and personal. Share how these forestry programs have made a difference in your life, community, or work. Whether you are a fire chief, city leader, landowner, or citizen advocate, your voice and your experience are powerful. Please consider including: How your community has benefited from SPTF-supported projects or funding. How these programs have helped prevent wildfire or improve forest health. What the consequences would be if this funding is lost. 

Headlines on today's episode include: Accurate forecasts vital for farmers, Million dollar rain in the Nebraska Sandhills, Sen. Ricketts sees bright future for U.S. ethanol, Strong stands in southeastern South Dakota, Sand management on dairies, Water quality efforts continue in Iowa, and a trading view of Mexico being a success story.See Privacy Policy at https://art19.com/privacy and California Privacy Notice at https://art19.com/privacy#do-not-sell-my-info.

Nebraska Sens. Pete Ricketts and Deb Fischer announced their commitment to extending President Donald Trump's 2017 tax cuts, aiming to help farmers, ranchers and their families keep their taxes low.

In this podcast, I share the audio from a video of a speech given by former Nebraska governor and current US Senator, Pete Ricketts. He discusses how Nebraska used Lean Six Sigma to improve their services to residents, reduced costs, building space and time. He encourages the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) to utilize a similar approach.You can watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JwDhbZBXCILearn more about BPI7 Continuous Improvement Best Practices: ⁠⁠⁠https://mail.biz-pi.com/lss-best-practices-funnel⁠⁠Need help in your organization, or want to discuss your current work situation?⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ Let's talk! Schedule a free support call⁠Podcast Sponsor: Creative Safety Supply is a great resource for free guides, infographics, and continuous improvement tools. I recommend starting with their 5S guide. It includes breakdowns of the five pillars, ways to begin implementing 5S, and even organization tips and color charts. From red tags to floor marking; it's all there. Download it for free at ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠creativesafetysupply.com/5S⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠BIZ-PI.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠LeanSixSigmaDefinition.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Have a question? ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Submit a voice message at Podcasters.Spotify.com⁠

Sen. Pete Ricketts, in a press call Wednesday, said he supports President Donald Trump's tariff plan, but does not support the bills in the U.S. House and Senate looking to limit the president's ability to levy those tariffs.

On today's program: Lindsey Graham, U.S. Senator from South Carolina, offers insight to the government shutdown fight, peace negotiations in the Russia-Ukraine war, and the ongoing violence in Syria. Pete Ricketts, U.S. Senator from Nebraska and

President Donald Trump has published several executive orders that could directly impact agriculture, Nebraska's top industry. Nebraska Public Media's Jackie Ourada asked U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts about those impacts and what legislation we could see this session from the former governor.

Doug is honored to have Senator Pete Ricketts on the show. The Senator talks about the Senate's new working hours, working on the Trump agenda, cutting government spending by being on the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE) Caucus, border security, cutting regulations, and so much more. www.ricketts.senate.gov

On today's program: Pete Ricketts, U.S. Senator and Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, discusses President Trump's recent comments on Greenland, Panama, and Canada, as well as President Biden's decision to release 11 terrorists from

Senator Pete Ricketts is encouraging the U.S. Senate to confirm President-elect Donald Trump's national security nominees as quickly as possible. Ricketts is a member of the U.S. Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, which will hold hearings on nominees for ambassadors and other national security officials in the coming months. He says Trump's pick for Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, will help America stand with its allies and be tough on China.

?On today's program: Pete Ricketts, U.S. Senator for Nebraska, reacts to the current list of names to be nominated for posts in the second Trump administration and celebrates his state's pro-life victories. Greg Lopez, U.S. Representative for

On today's program: Keith Self, U.S. Representative for the 3rd District of Texas, dissects the contrasting messaging from Vice President Kamala Harris versus President Biden's 'garbage' comment. Matt Carpenter, FRC Action Director, shares what

On today's show we're joined by Senator Pete Ricketts of Nebraska, to discuss the Securing American Agriculture Act, which among other things would require the U.S. Department of Agriculture, in conjunction with the U.S. Trade Representative and the Department of Commerce, to conduct an annual threat assessment of critical food and agricultural supply chains. We're also joined by Lesli Allison, chief executive of the Western Landowners Alliance to talk about a recent USDA secretarial memorandum to support connectivity of wildlife habitat on working landscapes through the management of National Forests and voluntary conservation assistance on private agricultural lands.

Doug welcomes back to the show Senator Pete Ricketts. They discuss the abortion initiatives, illegal immigration, false & misleading ad campaigns, his staff's office hours across the state and more. https://petericketts.com

In this episode of American Potential, host Jeff Crank sits down with Brad Stevens, former Americans for Prosperity (AFP) employee and current State Director for U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts. Brad reflects on his 14-year journey with AFP, sharing stories of grassroots victories, policy change, and the power of community activism. From memorable door-knocking campaigns to building lasting relationships with policy champions and activists across the country, Stevens highlights the importance of teamwork and perseverance in the fight for liberty. Brad also delves into AFP's role in key policy battles, including the fight against overregulation and government overreach. He shares personal anecdotes, including successful grassroots efforts in Nebraska and the impact AFP has had in transforming the state's political landscape. This episode offers an insider's look at how a nationwide grassroots organization can drive significant policy changes while creating a close-knit community of activists. Tune in for an inspiring conversation about the ongoing fight for freedom and opportunity.

On today's program, hosted by Jody Hice: Andy Biggs, U.S. Representative for the 5th

Sen. Pete Ricketts hosted a forum at the Nebraska State Fair on Monday. Alongside Congressman Adrian Smith and other state and federal agribusiness leaders, the group focused on agriculture, trade and government regulations. Ricketts said government overregulation from the Biden administration is hurting Nebraska agriculture producers and he encouraged the audience of around 100 people to educate federal bureaucrats about the agriculture industry.

Doug is honored to have Senator Pete Ricketts to kick off the show talking about his plan to hold Washington accountable for its out-of-control spending and his Federal Issues Forum he is holding across the state. Doug also is joined by Amy Holman (Nebr Pharmacists Assoc), Ryan Carruthers (Centerpointe), & Chris Allend (Wellbeing Initiative) to talk about Drug Overdose Awareness Week. https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/ https://www.facebook.com/events/3767494780234660

The U.S. Senate passed the Kids Online Safety Act this week on a bipartisan, 91 to 3 vote. The legislation requires social media platforms to provide minors with options to disable addictive product features, including algorithmic recommendations. Nebraska Senators Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts were both co-sponsors of the bill.

Sen. Pete Ricketts is a first-hand expert on all things Nebraska. We put him to the test as we bring up all kinds of state festivals, and explore his passion for parades. Plus, we discuss his reasoning for in-office workplaces, and he shares his numerous concerns over Electric Vehicle mandates.

On today's program: Erin Hawley, Alliance Defending Freedom Senior Counsel and Vice President of the Center for Life and Regulatory Practice, discusses the U.S. Supreme Court rejecting a challenge to the Food and Drug Administration by stating that

Senators Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts are cosponsors of legislation to overturn a U.S. Department of Education rule extending Title Nine protections to include gender identity. The Congressional Review Act allows Congress the ability to overrule federal regulations from government agencies by passing a joint resolution. The resolution can be vetoed by the president and would need a two-thirds majority of the House and Senate to override the veto.

Doug is honored to have Senator Pete Ricketts join him on the show. Senator Ricketts shares his thoughts about President Biden's Executive Order on Immigration, his new bill to reduce veteran's taxes, and his thoughts on President Trump Conviction. In the second half of the show Liz Davids, candidate for the State Board of Education, shares her concerns regarding the management and spending of taxpayers dollars for our public schools, and her solution for the teacher shortage.

On today's program: Pete Ricketts, U.S. Senator for Nebraska, sets the record straight on the loopholes plaguing President Biden's executive order on U.S. asylum policy and discusses the need for sanctions against the International Criminal Court

In today's episode:The question of whether or not to accept the results of the 2024 election is not a hard one to answer - the answer is "no"Pete Ricketts and the Nebraska Uniparty Right sweeps their fake primaries with no support from the state GOPJ6 actor and gay giant, Harry Dunn, loses a rigged primary in Maryland and Kim Klacik wins, which means Maryland's elections must be real!Why Lockdown Larry Hogan turning a Maryland Senate seat 'red' is a win for the Uniparty, not for MAGARefusing to accept the results of rigged elections no matter who wins is the only way forward.Connect with Be Reasonable: https://linktr.ee/imyourmoderatorHear the show when it's released. Become a paid subscriber at imyourmoderator.substack.comVisit the show's sponsors:Diversify your assets into Bitcoin: https://partner.river.com/reasonableDiversify your assets into precious metals: reasonablegold.comOther ways to support the work:ko-fi.com/imyourmoderatorDonate btc via coinbase: 3MEh9J5sRvMfkWd4EWczrFr1iP3DBMcKk5Make life more comfortable: mypillow.com/reasonableMerch site: https://cancelcouture.myspreadshop.com/Follow the podcast info stream: t.me/imyourmoderatorOther social platforms: Truth Social, Gab, Rumble, or Gettr - @imyourmoderator Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/be-reasonable-with-your-moderator-chris-paul. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In today's episode:The question of whether or not to accept the results of the 2024 election is not a hard one to answer - the answer is "no"Pete Ricketts and the Nebraska Uniparty Right sweeps their fake primaries with no support from the state GOPJ6 actor and gay giant, Harry Dunn, loses a rigged primary in Maryland and Kim Klacik wins, which means Maryland's elections must be real!Why Lockdown Larry Hogan turning a Maryland Senate seat 'red' is a win for the Uniparty, not for MAGARefusing to accept the results of rigged elections no matter who wins is the only way forward.Connect with Be Reasonable: https://linktr.ee/imyourmoderatorHear the show when it's released. Become a paid subscriber at imyourmoderator.substack.comVisit the show's sponsors:Diversify your assets into Bitcoin: https://partner.river.com/reasonableDiversify your assets into precious metals: reasonablegold.comOther ways to support the work:ko-fi.com/imyourmoderatorDonate btc via coinbase: 3MEh9J5sRvMfkWd4EWczrFr1iP3DBMcKk5Make life more comfortable: mypillow.com/reasonableMerch site: https://cancelcouture.myspreadshop.com/Follow the podcast info stream: t.me/imyourmoderatorOther social platforms: Truth Social, Gab, Rumble, or Gettr - @imyourmoderator Become a member at https://plus.acast.com/s/be-reasonable-with-your-moderator-chris-paul. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nebraska will be electing two U.S. Senators in this election cycle for the first time since 1954. Incumbent Republicans Deb Fischer and Pete Ricketts are heavy favorites, but neither have received endorsements from the State Republican Party. Meanwhile, an independent challenger is likely to receive a Democratic Party endorsement in the general election.

On today's program: Pete Ricketts, U.S. Senator for Nebraska, discusses the latest news regarding Israel's war against Hamas, responds to threats from the Chinese Communist Party following U.S. military aid to Taiwan, and sets the record straight

[00:00:00] Bret Baier   [00:10:22] Sen. Pete Ricketts   [00:18:26] Marc Thiessen   [00:36:48] Master P   [00:55:10] David Bahnsen   [01:13:32] Shannon Bream   [01:31:56] Arthur Lih Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Pete Ricketts, U.S. Senator for Nebraska, reacts to the Super Tuesday election results and offers analysis of the pending budget deals. David Friedman, former U.S. Ambassador to Israel, provides an update on Israel's war against Hamas and reacts to

Christiane Amanpour is in Ukraine where, days away from the second anniversary of the war, there are feelings of urgency and of frustration. As American support dries up, just as Ukraine needs it most, Russia has delivered a frontline defeat and now its flags are now flying over Avdiivka in the east. Still Ukraine battles on: with fewer weapons, less ammunition and troops staggering from two years of war. Christiane spoke to President Zelensky on stage at the Munich Security Conference.  Also on today's show: Jens Stoltenberg, NATO Secretary-General; Kaja Kallas, Prime Minister of Estonia; Pete Ricketts, U.S. Republican Senator; Alejandro Mayorkas, U.S. Secretary of Homeland Security  Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

In the early morning hours of Tuesday, a group of conservative senators ran out of procedural options for debating a $95 billion funding bill for Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific. In the middle of the night, Sens. Ron Johnson, R-Wis.; Mike Lee, R-Utah; Rand Paul, R-Ky.; Pete Ricketts, R-Neb.; Marco Rubio, R-Fla.; Eric Schmitt, R-Mo.; Rick Scott, R-Fla.; and JD Vance, R-Ohio, articulated their opposition.When they ran out of options, the tandem of Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer, D-N.Y., and Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., moved swiftly to pass the bill on a vote of 70 to 29. That included 22 Republicans who voted for foreign aid without addressing America's own border crisis.The measure now moves to the House of Representatives, where Speaker Mike Johnson, R-La., has pledged to hold the line at the urging of conservatives.National security expert Elbridge Colby, co-founder and principal at The Marathon Initiative, spoke with The Daily Signal about what's playing out on Capitol Hill and why he thinks this legislation misses the mark. He also explained how the United States should be prioritizing its national security. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the early morning hours of Tuesday, a group of conservative senators ran out of procedural options for debating a $95 billion funding bill for Ukraine, Israel, and the Indo-Pacific. In the middle of the night, Sens. Ron Johnson, R-Wis.; Mike Lee, R-Utah; Rand Paul, R-Ky.; Pete Ricketts, R-Neb.; Marco Rubio, R-Fla.; Eric Schmitt, R-Mo.; […]

A new legislative proposal was introduced on a recent Thursday, driven by a faction of Republican senators, with senator Bill Hagerty at the helm. The proposed legislation, dubbed the 'Equal Representation Act,' aims at ensuring that those who have entered the country illegally do not contribute to the tally for either the Electoral College or the congressional districts. The bill mandates that the Census Bureau pose a question about citizenship, with an end goal of allocating Electoral College votes solely based on the count of U.S. citizens living in the state. This is strikingly similar to an effort in the recent past when former President Donald Trump endeavored to include a similar citizenship query in the 2020 census. However, his attempt was thwarted as he encountered a number of lawsuits, most of which originated from groups leaning to the Left. The proposition of such a question and its consequential response led to passionate debates, which speaks volumes about its potential impact on the country's political climate. In an expression of his concerns, Sen. Hagerty voiced a compelling argument. He accentuated the issue in no uncertain terms, emphasizing that it is profoundly unjust for illegal immigrants and non-citizens to influence the creation and reorganization of congressional districts and electoral mapping. His viewpoint reflected concerns about balance and fairness in the distribution of political power and the potential for unjust skewing of this distribution. He further expounded on this by shedding light on the significant outflow of inhabitants from cities dominated by Democratic leadership. In his depiction, desperate Democrats are seemingly compensating for this population loss by welcoming illegal immigrants. The argument suggests an ulterior motive: retaining their congressional seats and their electoral votes for the presidential election, thereby potentially inflating their political strength at the expense of diluting the voting power of other Americans. In the context of the proposed legislation, it requires not just the inclusion of a citizenship question in the once-every-decade census, but also redefines the way in which representatives are appointed. The bill stresses that representatives should correspond to the number of citizens inhabiting a state, as opposed to the total population figure. Sen. Marsha Blackburn, who has offered her support to the bill, expressed her thoughts in a similar vein. 'Blue states,' she says, 'might experience a decline in their citizen count due to their liberal policies, but find a way to offset it by embracing illegal immigrants.' She talked about this strategy being open knowledge, and pointed an accusing finger at Democrats who continue to defend their stance on open borders requiring a larger populace to secure more seats in Congress and drawing more federal funding. Such a move, according to her, is not congruous with the principles and values that Americans hold dear. It's important to us that our votes hold weight and are not overshadowed by the interests of a few. It therefore appears that this proposed legislation aims to protect the integrity of the voting process and ensure a level playing field for all Americans. In the year 2019, the Supreme Court stood as a barrier to President Trump's push to introduce a citizenship question in the census. Tipping the scales with a 5-4 decision, the court ruled against the proposition after several groups voiced their opinion that the question bore discriminatory undertones. The court's ruling reflected apprehension about potential bias and the promotion of inequality. The 'Equal Representation Act' finds support in the Senate beyond senators Hagerty and Blackburn. Several notable Republicans have allied themselves with the bill, including senators Mike Braun, Katie Britt, Ted Budd, Bill Cassidy, Kevin Cramer, Mike Crapo, Steve Daines, Cindy Hyde-Smith, James Lankford, Mike Lee, Cynthia Lummis, Roger Marshall, Pete Ricketts, Jim Risch, Mike Rounds, Eric Schmitt, John Thune, Tommy Tuberville, and J.D. Vance. The backdrop for this legislation is rather poignant, as it occurs amidst a historic influx of illegal immigrants traversing the southern border into the U.S. This issue has been receiving renewed attention recently because of its significance and challenges it poses for those on both sides of the border. One of the main themes of the bill's proponents appears to be concerns over potential manipulation of the democratic process and the fear that the balance of power could be skewed unfairly. These Senators are calling for a closer look at the fine balance between maintaining the right of Americans to fair representation while also considering the complexities of immigration and census statistics. The proposed Equal Representation Act signifies more than just adding a question to the census. It signifies a push towards establishing a system that counts only citizens when deciding the political composition of our country. Many see this as a fundamental part of ensuring that the United States upholds the democratic ideals upon which it was founded. The debate surrounding the inclusion of a citizenship question in the U.S. census is likely to continue as we move closer to the next cycle of elections. The outcome of this debate holds implications for our democratic process, the balance of power within the country, and the fundamental question of how we define American citizenship. The bill shows the ongoing struggle to find the right balance between the need for a fair representation of U.S. citizens in Congress and the necessity of respecting the rights of those seeking a better life in the country. The discussion and the subsequent action will undoubtedly have far-reaching implications that go beyond the language of the bill itself. It's a question of fairness, representation, and the very essence of our democracy, as laid out in the Constitution: That everyone's voice should count. The proponents of the 'Equal Representation Act' believe their proposal is a step towards safeguarding these principles; however, the road ahead still promises to be a challenging one. In conclusion, the introduction of the 'Equal Representation Act' is not just about census numbers and redrawing district lines, but it concerns the essence of democracy—the right to equal representation. It has brought under the limelight topical arguments and views on immigration, citizenship, and the idea of representation. Regardless of what the future holds for this bill, the conversation that it has sparked is a testament to the vibrancy and resilience of democracy. Real News Now This article first appeared on Real News Now: https://www.realnewsnow.com/immigration-debate-intensifies-as-republican-senators-propose-the-equal-representation-act/ Follow Real News Now on Social Media Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RealNewsNowApp/ X Twitter: https://twitter.com/realnewsapp Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/realnews/ TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@realnewsnowapp Threads: https://www.threads.net/@realnews/ Truth Social: https://truthsocial.com/@RealNews YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/@realnewsnowapp Video: https://youtu.be/Vq1op6dDEJI  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

On today's program: Pete Ricketts, U.S. Senator from Nebraska, provides an update on Senate border security negotiations as the border crisis rises as the top priority for U.S. voters. Jeff Helfrich, Oregon House Minority Leader, explains why

On today's program: Ron Johnson, U.S. Senator from Wisconsin, shares an update on the Senate negotiations for legislation to secure the southern border. Pete Ricketts, U.S. Senator from Nebraska, reacts to President Biden's criticism of Israeli