VIDEO: Ricketts Praises U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Process Improvement, Stresses Importance of Flood Control

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Yesterday, during a Senate Environment and Public Works Committee hearing, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) praised the "Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork" initiative from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Ricketts also emphasized the need to prioritize flood control to prevent loss of life.

"Assistant Secretary Telle, I applaud the whole 'Building Infrastructure, Not Paperwork' initiative," said Ricketts. "You know from our conversations that I'm a big believer in process improvement. And it's a great step toward accelerating project delivery. This is, of course, necessary as we look to improve infrastructure projects that will prevent future flood events."

"In 2019, we had the most widespread flooding in the history of Nebraska," said Ricketts. "During that flood, four people lost their lives. It cost Nebraska more than $3 billion dollars. Our farmers and ranchers lost $1 billion during that. As we look to improve the Corps and its authorized programs, preventing loss of life and property should be the top priority."

Watch the video HERE.

Ricketts' comments were made in a hearing of the Committee on Environment and Public Works: "Hearing to Examine the Water Resources Development Act of 2026 and U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Projects, Programs, and Priorities." The witnesses were Adam R. Telle, Assistant Secretary of the Army for Civil Works, Department of the Army and Lieutenant General William H. Graham Jr., Chief of Engineers and Commanding General, U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Department of the Army.