Ricketts Highlights Successes of President Trump’s First Year Back in Office

TRANSCRIPT:

Senator Ricketts: “Four years of Biden brought us open borders, record inflation, and emboldened adversaries. 

“After a year, President Trump and Senate Republicans are getting America back on track — Let’s recap 2025. 

“We’re making our streets safer. 

“We're putting money back in your pocket. 

“And, we’re restoring peace through strength. 

“I am working with President Trump to deliver for Nebraskans. 

“When he began his second term, President Trump promised our safety would be restored. 

“We have kept that promise. 

“I’ve been to the border four times under both Presidents Biden and Trump. 

“Under President Biden, there were 10.5 million law enforcement encounters with people trying to enter into our country illegally. 

“Today, under President Trump, the border is now secure. 

“Average daily encounters are down 95%. 

“For seven consecutive months, U.S. Border Patrol released zero illegal aliens into our country. 

“The difference at the border is night and day. 

“President Biden said he needed new laws to secure the border. 

“Turns out, all we needed was a new President. 

“Senate Republicans are working with President Trump to make sure our law enforcement officers are supported. 

“We passed the Laken Riley Act, the strongest immigration enforcement legislation in decades. 

“It includes Sarah’s Law, named for the young graduate of Bellevue University who was killed by an illegal alien drunk driver in 2016. 

“We passed the HALT Fentanyl Act, which provides harsher sentences for fentanyl traffickers. 

“We invested $170 billion in border infrastructure, technology, and personnel. 

“This will allow completion of the border wall system and expand detention capacity. 

“The investment provides Border Patrol agents with cutting-edge surveillance tools and drones. 

“We funded the hiring of 16,000 new immigration and customs agents. 

“The Border Patrol academy is now full with the most trainees they’ve ever had. 

“The Senate also voted to confirm Lesley Woods, President Trump’s nominee to U.S. Attorney for the District of Nebraska. 

“She has been hard at work prosecuting crimes in Nebraska. 

“In August, U.S. Attorney Woods announced the arrest of five individuals for sex and human trafficking, visa fraud, and money laundering. 

“These individuals trafficked minors and are present in the country illegally. 

“Last month, U.S. Attorney Woods indicted 54 defendants for a massive fraud scheme funding the violent terrorist cartel Tren de Aragua. 

“Throughout 2025, U.S. Attorney Woods also announced arrests of hitmen and leaders of the violent MS-13 cartel. 

“We’re making Nebraska streets safer. 

“After a year of President Trump, more money is going into Nebraskans’ pockets. 

“With the Working Families Tax Cuts, we’re renewing opportunity and lowering Nebraskans’ taxes. 

“Without this historic legislation, Nebraskans would’ve seen a tax increase of $2,400. 

“Instead, federal taxes were cut by an average of $3,750. 

“CBS News reports that average tax refunds will increase by $1,000 and that withholding from paychecks will decrease. 

“According to the Treasury Department, average take-home pay will increase by $7,500. 

“In 2026, hard-working Nebraskans will see more money in their pockets. 

“In the Working Families Tax Cuts, we secured provisions for no tax on tips and no tax on overtime. 

“It will be easier and more affordable to create jobs. 

“Businesses are incentivized to invest in childcare for their workers. 

“Families will save money with the $2,200 child tax credit. 

“The dependent care deduction went up from $5,000 to $7,500. 

“The Paid Family Medical Leave tax credit was made permanent and enhanced, encouraging businesses to offer this benefit to workers. 

“I made a promise to Nebraskans that the death tax exemption would be made permanent. 

“We delivered on that promise. 

“Over 80% of Nebraska farms are family owned. 

“Now, they can stay that way. 

“Also, 88% of seniors will pay no federal income tax on their social security.  

“This is something we did in Nebraska while I was governor for state income taxes. 

“President Biden had an appeasement first policy. 

“His policies emboldened our adversaries. 

“President Trump is demonstrating peace through strength to deter our adversaries. 

“With support from Congress, President Trump is rebuilding our military. 

“Military recruiting is breaking records as the Trump administration restores the warfighting spirit. 

“Together, we are ensuring our military remains the most powerful and advanced fighting force in the world. 

“That includes major investment in Offutt Air Force Base. 

“We provided funding for the Sentinel Intercontinental Ballistic Missile system, which will be based partially in Nebraska. 

“This will help the airmen based at Offutt to execute their mission of nuclear deterrence. 

“That deters our adversaries and keeps Nebraskans safe. 

“Joe Biden pursued a catastrophic open border. 

“Biden’s policies led to 40-year-high inflation. 

“He distracted our military from its warfighting mission. 

“In 2025, these policies were reversed. 

“President Trump and I will continue delivering for Nebraskans. 

“That means safer streets, more money in your pocket, and peace through strength.”