Dear Senator Ricketts, Senator Fischer,

Congressmen Bacon, Flood, and Smith,

Congratulations on your victories and your return to Washington. It’s obvious that the Washington you’ll be going back to will be different than the Washington you left. For one thing, you’ll all be in the majority with a Republican president. A president that demands loyalty, allegiance, and devotion.

I hope when you get back into the thick of things, you’ll remember that your loyalty and responsibility lies with the people of Nebraska, not with this or any other president.

It’s going to be interesting to see how you and your fellow Republicans in the House and Senate react to president-elect Trump this time. Will you just go along with all of his plans to curry favor with the leader of your party? Or will you speak out for what’s best for Nebraskans?

Let me give you an example.

You obviously know how important agriculture is to our economy. The president’s border czar has said that he is planning on raiding workplaces to deport illegal immigrants. If his hardline tactics make it difficult for the farmers and packing plants to hire the staff they need to meet the needs of the consumers will you speak up? If his tariffs make it difficult if not impossible for Nebraska agriculture industries to sell their goods overseas, will you speak up on behalf of Nebraska? Or will you sit quietly not wanting to get the president so upset he throws hamburgers against the walls?

Over the years I have had conversations with each of you. I believe all of you are decent people who want what’s best for Nebraska and America.

But I also see how the soon-to-be president is strong-arming members of the House and Senate to get them to bow down to his wishes. If his wishes end up hurting your constituents, I hope you’ll speak up.

There is no doubt that President Trump and the Republican Party had a good election night, but almost 40% of Nebraskans didn’t vote for him. Nationwide, he won 50% of the vote to Kamala’s 48%. While the future president had a solid win, it was far from unanimous.

Many Nebraskans benefit from the Affordable Care Act. If the president wants to abolish it without replacing it with something better, will you go along with the Project 2025 plan? Or will you stand up for the Nebraskans who need health insurance and have pre-existing conditions?

Will you remember that the House and Senate are separate yet equal branches of government or will you act as lap dogs and bend to the wishes of the Heritage Foundation and President Trump? How are you going to feel when the President releases the January 6th rioters? You know the very people that threatened all your lives 4 years ago?

Will you be the kind of old-school conservatives who believe in things like free trade and the rule of law? Or the newer version of conservative that supports tariffs and believes that running for president is a get-out-of-jail-free card?

The Supreme Court has given the President a wider range of powers, but that doesn’t mean that the House and Senate have to just bow down to his wishes. Wishes that may be illegal, or not in the best interest of Nebraska.

I am tired of using words like unprecedented or phrases like unchartered waters, but I know that what we are about to see will be just that.

Where will your loyalties lie Senators Fischer and Ricketts? How about you Congressmen Bacon, Flood, and Smith? Will they lie with blind loyalty to President Trump and the Republican Party? Or will you stand up to them when warranted?

One quick note of clarification: I’m not saying that I expect you to disagree with the future president on everything. I’m sure there will be some genuinely good policies coming out of the White House. I am just asking that you remember you are not a servant at Mar-A Largo and remember to stand up for what is best for Nebraska and all of America when extreme ideas are presented. Please be statesmen and woman and not just good republicans marching in line so as to not upset the leader.

I wish you all nothing but the best as you head back to Washington. Please remember the words of Benjamin Franklin who warned us that we could lose this Republic. It’s up to you to help us keep it.

Tom Becka is a long time Nebraska broadcaster who for over 30 years has been covering Omaha and Midwest issues on both radio and TV. He has been a guest on numerous national cable and news shows, filled in for nationally syndicated talk radio programs and Talkers Magazine has recognized him as one of the Top 100 talk show hosts in the country 10 times. Never afraid to ruffle some feathers, his ‘Becka’s Beat’ commentaries can be found online on Youtube and other digital platforms.

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