Third Congressional District candidate profile: Adrian Smith

LINCOLN, Neb. (KOLN) - Adrian Smith is running for re-election to represent Nebraska’s Third Congressional District. He faces Democrat Daniel Ebers in the Nebraska General Election.

We sent questionnaires to each candidate in the race. Responses from candidates are posted verbatim and not edited for spelling, grammar, or content.

Adrian Smith

Political Party: Republican

District: 3

Website: https://joinadrian.com/

1. Please provide a brief overview of your background and what drives you to seek this office.

I proudly serve Nebraska’s Third Congressional District which stretches from the Missouri River to the Wyoming border and includes 80 of Nebraska’s 93 counties. I am a lifelong Republican. As a Gering native, whose family has called Nebraska home for six generations, I was proud to return home after graduating from the University of Nebraska-Lincoln and serve as a member of the city council and then represent District 48 in the Nebraska Legislature. In Congress, I serve as a member of the House Committee on Ways and Means and as the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Trade. As a Ways and Means member, I am on the front lines of the debate on how to create jobs and reform our tax code. I also have the unique opportunity to serve Nebraskans on important issues such as opening international markets for agriculture products and advancing rural health care. In addition, I continue to maintain a deep involvement in rural issues, serving as chairman of the Congressional Agricultural Trade Caucus and Congressional Biofuels Caucus. My wife, Andrea, and I reside in Gering with our two young children.

I am running because Nebraska’s Third District wants a strong, conservative, and effective Representative in Washington. I hope to continue representing our interests and values which recognize the importance of individuals and the private sector to grow our economy and create jobs. I will advocate for federal policy which supports, not undermines, the successes of economic freedom and opportunity.

2. What would be your top three priorities if (re)elected?

First of all, we must secure the border. We must also stop runaway federal spending and reduce the national debt. Finally, we need to continue to grow the economy by building on the successes of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, expanding trade and cutting costly bureaucratic regulation.

3. How do you plan to advocate for federal support for Nebraska’s agriculture industry?

I support passage of the Farm Bill to give certainty to our ag producers and make needed updates to our farm programs. As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Trade of the Ways and Means Committee I have led conversations with foreign leaders and advocated for fair trade with countries around the world. In Congress I have championed biofuels which has boosted farm incomes and our rural economy. I have cosponsored legislation that would allow for year-round, nationwide E-15 availability, which will boost and protect ethanol production in Nebraska.

4. What strategies do you propose to enhance the economy?

I was directly involved in the negotiation and passage of the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act passed under President Trump. This bill was the catalyst for strong economic growth that was stunted by the onset of Covid-19. As these tax cuts that encouraged investment and job creation start to expire, the economy - especially the middle class – will suffered. By restoring the tax cuts, expanding fair trade for our farm and manufacturing products, cutting wasteful government spending, eliminating red tape and encouraging workers on the sidelines to rejoin the workforce and fill a share of the nation’s vacant jobs we can get the country back on track.

5. What reforms need to be made to border security and immigration, if any? How do these issues directly impact Nebraskans?

There is no doubt our immigration system is broken. I have traveled to the southern border several times including this past January to Eagle Pass, Texas where I saw firsthand the chaos caused by the Biden-Harris administration. This chaos is a threat to our national security, our economy, and public safety. The policies of President Trump were working to reduce the flow of illegal immigration across the Southern border. Unfortunately the Biden-Harris administration has taken a series of actions starting in 2021 that have undermined the border and allowed a record number of illegal immigrants into our country with little or no consequence. I support an immigration policy that ensures the safety of our homeland, restores common sense to our immigration system, and acknowledges and values the contributions of those who came to our nation legally, as my great grandparents did.

6. What is your stance on U.S. involvement in foreign conflicts such as those in Ukraine and Gaza? Do you support funding for these conflicts or sanctions against Russia?

It’s vital we block Vladimir Putin’s expansionist ambitions. If left unchecked they represent an existential threat to America and our allies. Yes, I support sanctions against Russia. However, we cannot ignore the threat at our own border.

Israel is the only Democracy in the Middle East and our strongest ally in the region. We must stand shoulder to shoulder with Israel as they work to put an end to the Hamas terror organization and eliminate the possibility of a repeat of the ruthless, unthinkable attack last October.

7. How would you balance being mindful of taxpayer spending and also providing critical services like infrastructure, social security and more to Nebraskans?

It starts with setting priorities and cutting spending. Families have to do this with their budgets. The dysfunction in Washington calls for strong leadership to tackle our pressing issues. Congress must prioritize offering stability, minimize the burden on Americans, and coming to a consensus on funding bills that are fiscally responsible. I remain committed to fighting for a balanced budget, cutting wasteful spending, and ensuring essential priorities such as necessary infrastructure, veterans’ benefits, border security receive adequate funding.

8. Many Americans are frustrated and distrustful of our leadership in Washington. How can you work to help rebuild trust between Government and the American people?

The request I hear most often from Nebraskans in the Third Congressional District is for the federal government simply to leave them alone. The ever-growing size and role of the federal government not only is a tremendous cost to taxpayers, but it enables mismanagement and turns a blind eye to abuse. To instill trust we must focus on the appropriate role for a federal government, and prioritize where government can actually be effective in serving the people.

The Biden administration has fanned the flames of distrust with epic failures at home and abroad. From the disastrous withdrawal from Afghanistan to their determination to add 87,000 IRS agents to audit middle class Americans to the lawless Southern Border – federal agencies are out of control. It seems like our government cannot do anything right, and maybe that is because it is attempting to do too much. A more limited federal role and smaller federal bureaucracy would be easier to manage and hold accountable.

At the same time a balanced budget amendment would force spending to be prioritized and stop adding to the debt we will leave to future generations. Common sense regulatory reforms would reduce costly burdens on businesses, farmers and families. These are just a few of the ideas to restore a more appropriate role for the federal government. To make government more manageable, to grow our economy, and ensure freedom we must do better.

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