Nebraska Panhandle News

Senator Pete Ricketts, representing Nebraska in the U.S. Senate, addressed several national and international issues in a series of posts on his social media account.

On August 5, 2025, Ricketts discussed the OBBB bill's impact on Medicaid spending in Nebraska, stating: "The OBBB makes every Medicaid dollar work smarter for Nebraskans who need it most. Some of the media and the left has been pushing false Democrat talking points about this generational bill.

Medicaid is going to continue to grow by $750 billion over the next ten years. This will".

The following day, August 6, 2025, he commented on immigration enforcement efforts under former President Donald Trump: "President Trump is making America safer by deporting criminal illegal aliens. Thank you @ICEgov for your work to keep us safe! https://t.co/73iylhOlmr".

Later that same day, Ricketts turned attention to human rights concerns in China, specifically referencing Jimmy Lai: "Jimmy Lai has been a courageous champion for fundamental human rights and freedoms in Communist China since the 1989 Tiananmen Square massacre. Communist China has kept him imprisoned in solitary confinement for the last 4.5 years on baseless charges. His life is at risk. I’m https://t.co/U1RBpSSHFR".

Senator Ricketts has previously served as Governor of Nebraska before his election to the U.S. Senate. The OBBB referenced in his post refers to ongoing legislative efforts aimed at restructuring federal spending programs such as Medicaid, which provides health coverage for low-income Americans through state-federal partnerships.

His remarks about Jimmy Lai come amid continued international scrutiny over China's treatment of pro-democracy activists and journalists. Jimmy Lai is a prominent Hong Kong media tycoon known for his advocacy of press freedom and democracy; he has faced multiple legal challenges from Chinese authorities since supporting protests in Hong Kong.

Immigration policy remains a contentious issue within U.S. politics, with ongoing debates regarding border security measures and enforcement actions taken during Trump's presidency.