Full text of the travel ban including exemptions is below

During my first Administration, I restricted the entry of foreign nationals into the United States, which successfully prevented national security threats from reaching our borders and which the Supreme Court upheld.&nbsp; In Executive Order 14161 of January 20, 2025 (Protecting the United States From Foreign Terrorists and Other National Security and Public Safety Threats), I stated that it is the policy of the United States to protect its citizens from aliens who intend to commit terrorist attacks, threaten our national security, espouse hateful ideology, or otherwise exploit the immigration laws for malevolent purposes.&nbsp;

I also stated that the United States must be vigilant during the visa-issuance process to ensure that those aliens approved for admission into the United States do not intend to harm Americans or our national interests.&nbsp; More importantly, the United States must identify such aliens before their admission or entry into the United States. &nbsp;The United States must ensure that admitted aliens and aliens otherwise already present in the United States do not bear hostile attitudes toward its citizens, culture, government, institutions, or founding principles, and do not advocate for, aid, or support designated foreign terrorists or other threats to our national security.

I directed the Secretary of State, in coordination with the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Director of National Intelligence, to identify countries throughout the world for which vetting and screening information is so deficient as to warrant a full or partial suspension on the admission of nationals from those countries pursuant to section 212(f) of the Immigration and Nationality Act (INA), 8&nbsp;U.S.C. 1182(f).&nbsp; After completing that process, the Secretary of State determined that a number of countries remain deficient with regards to screening and vetting.&nbsp; Many of these countries have also taken advantage of the United States in their exploitation of our visa system and their historic failure to accept back their removable nationals.&nbsp;

As President, I must act to protect the national security and national interest of the United States and its people.&nbsp; I&nbsp;remain committed to engaging with those countries willing to cooperate to improve information-sharing and identity-management procedures, and to address both terrorism-related and public-safety risks. &nbsp;Nationals of some countries also pose significant risks of overstaying their visas in the United States, which increases burdens on immigration and law enforcement components of the United States, and often exacerbates other risks related to national security and public safety.

Some of the countries with inadequacies face significant challenges to reform efforts.&nbsp; Others have made important improvements to their protocols and procedures, and I commend them for these efforts.&nbsp; But until countries with identified inadequacies address them, members of my Cabinet have recommended certain conditional restrictions and limitations. &nbsp;I&nbsp;have considered and largely accepted those recommendations and impose the limitations set forth below on the entry into the United States by the classes of foreign nationals identified in sections 2 and 3 of this proclamation.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the United&nbsp;States of America, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including sections 212(f) and 215(a) of the INA, 8&nbsp;U.S.C. 1182(f) and 1185(a), and section 301 of title 3, United&nbsp;States Code, hereby find that, absent the measures set forth in this proclamation, the immigrant and nonimmigrant entry into the United States of persons described in sections 2 and 3 of this proclamation would be detrimental to the interests of the United States, and that their entry should be subject to certain restrictions, limitations, and exceptions.&nbsp; I therefore hereby proclaim the following:

Section&nbsp;1.&nbsp;&nbsp;Policy and Purpose.&nbsp; (a) &nbsp;It is the policy of the United States to protect its citizens from terrorist attacks and other national security or public-safety threats.&nbsp; Screening and vetting protocols and procedures associated with visa adjudications and other immigration processes play a critical role in implementing that policy. &nbsp;These protocols enhance our ability to detect foreign nationals who may commit, aid, or support acts of terrorism, or otherwise pose a safety threat, and they aid our efforts to prevent such individuals from entering the United States.

(b) &nbsp;Information-sharing and identity-management protocols and practices of foreign governments are important for the effectiveness of the screening and vetting protocols and procedures of the United States. &nbsp;Governments manage the identity and travel documents of their nationals and residents. They also control the circumstances under which they provide information about their nationals to other governments, including information about known or suspected terrorists and criminal-history information.&nbsp; It is, therefore, the policy of the United States to take all necessary and appropriate steps to encourage foreign governments to improve their information-sharing and identity-management protocols and practices and to regularly share their identity and threat information with the immigration screening and vetting systems of the United States.

(c) &nbsp;Section 2(b) of Executive Order 14161 directed the Secretary of State, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, and the Director of National Intelligence, within 60 days of the date of that order, to jointly submit to the President, through the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security, a report identifying countries throughout the&nbsp;world for which vetting and screening information is so deficient as to warrant a full or partial suspension on the entry or admission of nationals from those countries pursuant to section 212(f) of the INA (8 U.S.C. 1182(f)).

(d) &nbsp;On April 9, 2025, the Secretary of State, with the Assistant to the President for Homeland Security, presented the report described in subsection (c) of this section, recommending that entry restrictions and limitations be placed on foreign nationals of several countries.&nbsp; The report identified countries for which vetting and screening information is so deficient as to warrant a full suspension of admissions and countries that warrant a partial suspension of admission.

(e) &nbsp;In evaluating the recommendations from the Secretary of State and in determining what restrictions to impose for each country, I consulted with the Secretary of State, the Secretary of Defense, the Attorney General, the Secretary of Homeland Security, appropriate Assistants to the President, the Director of National Intelligence, and the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency.&nbsp; I considered foreign policy, national security, and counterterrorism goals.&nbsp; And I further considered various factors, including each country’s screening and vetting capabilities, information sharing policies, and country-specific risk factors — including whether each country has a significant terrorist presence within its territory, its visa-overstay rate, and its cooperation with accepting back its removable nationals.&nbsp;

I also considered the different risks posed by aliens admitted on immigrant visas and those admitted on nonimmigrant visas.&nbsp; Persons admitted on immigrant visas become lawful permanent residents of the United States.&nbsp; Such persons may present national security or public-safety concerns that may be distinct from those admitted as nonimmigrants.&nbsp; The United States affords lawful permanent residents more enduring rights than it does to nonimmigrants.&nbsp; Lawful permanent residents are more difficult to remove than nonimmigrants, even after national security concerns arise, which increases the costs and aggravates the dangers of errors associated with admitting such individuals.&nbsp; And although immigrants are generally subject to more extensive vetting than nonimmigrants, such vetting is far less reliable when the country from which someone seeks to emigrate maintains inadequate identity-management or information-sharing policies or otherwise poses risks to the national security of the United States.

I reviewed these factors and assessed these goals, with a&nbsp;particular focus on crafting country-specific restrictions.&nbsp; This approach was designed to encourage cooperation with the subject countries in recognition of each country’s unique circumstances. &nbsp;The restrictions and limitations imposed by this proclamation are, in my judgment, necessary to prevent the entry or admission of foreign nationals about whom the United States Government lacks sufficient information to assess the risks they pose to the United States.&nbsp; The restrictions and limitations imposed by this proclamation are necessary to garner cooperation from foreign governments, enforce our immigration laws, and advance other important foreign policy, national security, and counterterrorism objectives.

(f) &nbsp;After reviewing the report described in subsection (d) of this section, and after accounting for the foreign policy, national security, and counterterrorism objectives of the United States, I have determined to fully restrict and limit the entry of nationals of the following 12 countries:&nbsp; Afghanistan, Burma, Chad, Republic of the Congo, Equatorial Guinea, Eritrea, Haiti, Iran, Libya, Somalia, Sudan, and Yemen.&nbsp; These restrictions distinguish between, but apply to both, the entry of immigrants and nonimmigrants.

(g) &nbsp;I have determined to partially restrict and limit the entry of nationals of the following 7 countries: &nbsp;Burundi, Cuba, Laos, Sierra Leone, Togo, Turkmenistan, and Venezuela.&nbsp; These restrictions distinguish between, but apply to both, the entry of immigrants and nonimmigrants.&nbsp;

(h) &nbsp;Sections 2 and 3 of this proclamation describe some of the identity-management or information-sharing inadequacies that led me to impose restrictions.&nbsp; These inadequacies are sufficient to justify my finding that unrestricted entry of nationals from the named countries would be detrimental to the interests of the United States.&nbsp; Publicly disclosing additional details on which I relied in making these determinations, however, would cause serious damage to the national security of the United States, and many such details are classified.

Sec.&nbsp;2.&nbsp;&nbsp;Full Suspension of Entry for Nationals of Countries of Identified Concern.&nbsp; The entry into the United States of nationals of the following countries is hereby suspended and limited, as follows, subject to the categorical exceptions and case-by-case waivers described in section 5 of this proclamation:

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;The Taliban, a Specially Designated Global Terrorist (SDGT) group, controls Afghanistan.&nbsp; Afghanistan lacks a competent or cooperative central authority for issuing passports or civil documents and it does not have appropriate screening and vetting measures.&nbsp; According to the Fiscal Year 2023 Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Entry/Exit Overstay Report (“Overstay Report”), Afghanistan had a&nbsp;business/tourist (B-1/B-2) visa overstay rate of 9.70 percent and a student (F), vocational (M), and exchange visitor (J) visa overstay rate of 29.30 percent.

(ii) &nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of Afghanistan as immigrants and nonimmigrants is hereby fully suspended.

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;According to the Overstay Report, Burma had a B‑1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 27.07 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 42.17 percent.&nbsp; Additionally, Burma has historically not cooperated with the United States to accept back their removable nationals.

(ii) &nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of Burma as immigrants and nonimmigrants is hereby fully suspended.

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;According to the Overstay Report, Chad had a B‑1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 49.54 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 55.64 percent.&nbsp; According to the Fiscal Year 2022 Overstay Report, Chad had a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 37.12 percent.&nbsp; The high visa overstay rate for 2022 and 2023 is unacceptable and indicates a blatant disregard for United States immigration laws.&nbsp;&nbsp;

(ii) &nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of Chad as immigrants and nonimmigrants is hereby fully suspended.

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;According to the Overstay Report, the Republic of the Congo had a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 29.63 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 35.14 percent.

(ii) &nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of the Republic of the Congo as immigrants and nonimmigrants is hereby fully suspended.

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;According to the Overstay Report, Equatorial Guinea had a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 21.98 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 70.18 percent.

(ii) &nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of Equatorial Guinea as immigrants and nonimmigrants is hereby fully suspended.

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;The United States questions the competence of the central authority for issuance of passports or civil documents in Eritrea. &nbsp;Criminal records are not available to the United States for Eritrean nationals.&nbsp; Eritrea has historically refused to accept back its removable nationals.&nbsp; According to the Overstay Report, Eritrea had a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 20.09 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 55.43 percent.

(ii) &nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of Eritrea as immigrants and nonimmigrants is hereby fully suspended.

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;According to the Overstay Report, Haiti had a B‑1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 31.38 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 25.05 percent.&nbsp; Additionally, hundreds of thousands of illegal Haitian aliens flooded into the United States during the Biden Administration.&nbsp; This influx harms American communities by creating acute risks of increased overstay rates, establishment of criminal networks, and other national security threats. &nbsp;As is widely known, Haiti lacks a central authority with sufficient availability and dissemination of law enforcement information necessary to ensure its nationals do not undermine the national security of the United States.&nbsp;

(ii) &nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of Haiti as immigrants and nonimmigrants is hereby fully suspended.

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;Iran is a state sponsor of terrorism.&nbsp; Iran regularly fails to cooperate with the United States Government in identifying security risks, is the source of significant terrorism around the world, and has historically failed to accept back its removable nationals.&nbsp;

(ii) &nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of Iran as immigrants and nonimmigrants is hereby suspended.

(i)&nbsp; &nbsp;There is no competent or cooperative central authority for issuing passports or civil documents in Libya.&nbsp; The historical terrorist presence within Libya’s territory amplifies the risks posed by the entry into the United States of its nationals.

(ii)&nbsp; The entry into the United States of nationals of Libya as immigrants and nonimmigrants is hereby fully suspended.

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;Somalia lacks a competent or cooperative central authority for issuing passports or civil documents and it does not have appropriate screening and vetting measures.&nbsp; Somalia stands apart from other countries in the degree to which its government lacks command and control of its territory, which greatly limits the effectiveness of its national capabilities in a variety of respects.&nbsp; A persistent terrorist threat also emanates from Somalia’s territory.&nbsp; The United States Government has identified Somalia as a terrorist safe haven.&nbsp; Terrorists use regions of Somalia as safe havens from which they plan, facilitate, and conduct their operations.&nbsp; Somalia also remains a destination for individuals attempting to join terrorist groups that threaten the national security of the United States.&nbsp; The Government of Somalia struggles to provide governance needed to limit terrorists’ freedom of movement.&nbsp; Additionally, Somalia has historically refused to accept back its removable nationals.

(ii) &nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of Somalia as immigrants and nonimmigrants is hereby fully suspended.

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;Sudan lacks a competent or cooperative central authority for issuing passports or civil documents and it does not have appropriate screening and vetting measures.&nbsp; According to the Overstay Report, Sudan had a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 26.30 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 28.40 percent.&nbsp;

(ii) &nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of Sudan as immigrants and nonimmigrants is hereby fully suspended.

<a>(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;</a>Yemen lacks a competent or cooperative central authority for issuing passports or civil documents and it does not have appropriate screening and vetting measures.&nbsp; The government does not have physical control over its own territory.&nbsp; Since January 20, 2025, Yemen has been the site of active United States military operations.

(ii) &nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of Yemen as immigrants and nonimmigrants is hereby fully suspended.

Sec.&nbsp;3.&nbsp;&nbsp;Partial Suspension of Entry for Nationals of Countries of Identified Concern.

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;According to the Overstay Report, Burundi had a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 15.35 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 17.52 percent.&nbsp;

(ii) &nbsp;&nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of Burundi as immigrants, and as nonimmigrants on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas, is hereby suspended.

(iii) &nbsp;Consular officers shall reduce the validity for any other nonimmigrant visa issued to nationals of Burundi to the extent permitted by law.

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;Cuba is a state sponsor of terrorism.&nbsp; The Government of Cuba does not cooperate or share sufficient law enforcement information with the United States.&nbsp; Cuba has historically refused to accept back its removable nationals.&nbsp; According to the Overstay Report, Cuba had a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 7.69 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 18.75 percent.

(ii) &nbsp;&nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of Cuba as immigrants, and as nonimmigrants on B-1, B‑2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas, is hereby suspended.

(iii) &nbsp;Consular officers shall reduce the validity for any other nonimmigrant visa issued to nationals of Cuba to the extent permitted by law.

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;According to the Overstay Report, Laos had a B‑1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 34.77 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 6.49 percent.&nbsp; Laos has historically failed to accept back its removable nationals.&nbsp;

(ii) &nbsp;&nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of Laos as immigrants, and as nonimmigrants on B-1, B‑2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas, is hereby suspended.

(iii) &nbsp;Consular officers shall reduce the validity for any other nonimmigrant visa issued to nationals of Laos to the extent permitted by law.

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;According to the Overstay Report, Sierra Leone had a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 15.43 percent and an&nbsp;F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 35.83 percent.&nbsp; Sierra Leone has historically failed to accept back its removable nationals.&nbsp;

(ii) &nbsp;&nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of Sierra Leone as immigrants, and as nonimmigrants on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas is hereby suspended.

(iii) &nbsp;Consular officers shall reduce the validity for any other nonimmigrant visa issued to nationals of Sierra Leone to the extent permitted by law.

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;According to the Overstay Report, Togo had a B‑1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 19.03 percent and an F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 35.05 percent.&nbsp;

(ii) &nbsp;&nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of Togo as immigrants, and as nonimmigrants on B-1, B‑2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas is hereby suspended.

(iii) &nbsp;Consular officers shall reduce the validity for any other nonimmigrant visa issued to nationals of Togo to the extent permitted by law.

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;According to the Overstay Report, Turkmenistan had a B-1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 15.35 percent and an&nbsp;F, M, and J visa overstay rate of 21.74 percent.&nbsp;

(ii) &nbsp;&nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of Turkmenistan as immigrants, and as nonimmigrants on B-1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas is hereby suspended.

(iii) &nbsp;Consular officers shall reduce the validity for any other nonimmigrant visa issued to nationals of Turkmenistan to the extent permitted by law.

(i)&nbsp;&nbsp; &nbsp;Venezuela lacks a competent or cooperative central authority for issuing passports or civil documents and it does not have appropriate screening and vetting measures.&nbsp; Venezuela has historically refused to accept back its removable nationals.&nbsp; According to the Overstay Report, Venezuela had a B‑1/B-2 visa overstay rate of 9.83 percent.

(ii) &nbsp;&nbsp;The entry into the United States of nationals of Venezuela as immigrants, and as nonimmigrants on B‑1, B-2, B-1/B-2, F, M, and J visas is hereby suspended.

(iii) &nbsp;Consular officers shall reduce the validity for any other nonimmigrant visa issued to nationals of Venezuela to the extent permitted by law.

Sec.&nbsp;4.&nbsp;&nbsp;Scope and Implementation of Suspensions and Limitations.&nbsp;&nbsp;(a) &nbsp;Scope.&nbsp;&nbsp;Subject to the exceptions set forth in subsection (b) of this section and any exceptions made pursuant to subsections (c) and (d) of this section, the suspensions of and limitations on entry pursuant to sections 2 and 3 of this proclamation shall apply only to foreign nationals of the designated countries who:

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;are outside the United States on the applicable effective date of this proclamation; and

(ii) &nbsp;do not have a valid visa on the applicable effective date of this proclamation.

(b) &nbsp;Exceptions.&nbsp; The suspension of and limitation on entry pursuant to sections 2 and 3 of this proclamation shall not apply to:

(i) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;any lawful permanent resident of the United States;

(ii) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;any dual national of a country designated under sections 2 and 3 of this proclamation when the individual is traveling on a passport issued by a country not so designated;

(iii) &nbsp;&nbsp;any foreign national traveling with a valid nonimmigrant visa in the following classifications:&nbsp; A-1, A-2, C-2, C-3, G-1, G-2, G-3, G-4, NATO-1, NATO‑2, NATO-3, NATO-4, NATO-5, or NATO-6;

(iv) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;any athlete or member of an athletic team, including coaches, persons performing a necessary support role, and immediate relatives, traveling for the World Cup, Olympics, or other major sporting event as determined by the Secretary of State;

(v) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;immediate family immigrant visas (IR-1/CR-1, IR-2/CR-2, IR-5) with clear and convincing evidence of identity and family relationship (e.g., DNA);

(vi) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;adoptions (IR-3, IR-4, IH-3, IH-4);

(vii) &nbsp;&nbsp;Afghan Special Immigrant Visas;

(viii) &nbsp;Special Immigrant Visas for United States Government employees; and

(ix) &nbsp;&nbsp;&nbsp;immigrant visas for ethnic and religious minorities facing persecution in Iran.

(c) &nbsp;Exceptions to the suspension of and limitation on entry pursuant to sections 2 and 3 of this proclamation may be made for certain individuals for whom the Attorney General finds, in her discretion, that the travel by the individual would advance a critical United States national interest involving the Department of Justice, including when individuals must be present to participate in criminal proceedings as witnesses.&nbsp; These exceptions shall be made only by the Attorney General, or her designee, in coordination with the Secretary of State and the Secretary of Homeland Security.

(d) &nbsp;Exceptions to the suspension of and limitation on entry pursuant to sections 2 and 3 of this proclamation may be made case-by-case for individuals for whom the Secretary of State finds, in his discretion, that the travel by the individual would serve a United States national interest.&nbsp; These exceptions shall be made by only the Secretary of State or his designee, in coordination with the Secretary of Homeland Security or her designee.

🎥Trump signs bombshell travel ban involving over a dozen countries

PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for jumping the wall at President&nbsp;Donald Trump's Florida Mar-a-Lago estate, according to Captain Will Rothrock with the Palm Beach Police Department.

Just after midnight June 3, Palm Beach Police Department responded to Mar-a-Lago club, 1100 South Ocean Blvd., in reference to a trespass, according to a probable cause affidavit from the department.

Upon arrival, Palm Beach Police officers were met by U.S. Secret Service agents who had detained 23-year-old Anthony Thomas Reyes.

Secret Service agents advised that Reyes was found on the property and that Reyes stated to them that "he had jumped over the wall to get into the property." Secret Service agents stated that Reyes had not entered the sweep area or had been granted permission to enter the protected site. Reyes was previously trespassed from Mar-a-Lago on December 31, 2024.

Reyes was read his Miranda Warnings from a Palm Beach Police pre-printed card to which he acknowledged he understood.&nbsp;

Mar-a-Lago Club has numerous signs posted around the property that clearly state "No Trespassing" with tallgates that remain closed when not in use. At this time, Mar-a-Lago was not accepting visitors or guests, the gates and entry points were closed and manned by USSS security personnel.

Reyes is being held at Palm Beach County Jail on a $50,000 bond, according to online jail records. He pleaded not guilty later Tuesday during his first appearance in court. President Trump was in Washington at the time of the incident.

It should be noted that effective May 16, 2025, House Bill 1447: Trespass provides enhanced penalties for trespassing on property maintained or secured by federal, state, or local law enforcement officers if specified notice is posted, anyone in violation commits a felony.

Based on the facts, police had&nbsp; Probable Cause to arrest Reyes on requested charges of count of Felony Occupied Trespass pursuant to F.S.S 810.09 (1) (a) (2) because he did in fact, without being authorized, licensed, or invited, willfully entered upon and remained on the property at 1100 South Ocean Blvd., Palm Beach, FL 33480, which at the time of the offense, was a federally protected area by the United States Secret Service.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749032592579.png" alt="Reyes photo Palm Beach County" />
 <figcaption>Reyes photo Palm Beach County</figcaption>
 </figure>PALM BEACH COUNTY, Fla. —Law enforcement are investigating a suspect for jumping the wall at President&nbsp;Donald Trump's Florida Mar-a-Lago estate, according to Captain Will Rothrock with the Palm Beach Police Department.Just after midnight June 3, Palm Beach Police Department responded to Mar-a-Lago club, 1100 South Ocean Blvd., in reference to a trespass, according to a probable cause affidavit from the department.Upon arrival, Palm Beach Police officers were met by U.S. Secret Service agents who had detained 23-year-old Anthony Thomas Reyes.Secret Service agents advised that Reyes was found on the property and that Reyes stated to them that "he had jumped over the wall to get into the property." Secret Service agents stated that Reyes had not entered the sweep area or had been granted permission to enter the protected site. Reyes was previously trespassed from Mar-a-Lago on December 31, 2024.<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749048514455.png" alt="Document from the New Year's Eve incident at Mar-a-Lago involving Reyes-Palm Beach Police" />
 <figcaption>Document from the New Year's Eve incident at Mar-a-Lago involving Reyes-Palm Beach Police</figcaption>
 </figure>Reyes was read his Miranda Warnings from a Palm Beach Police pre-printed card to which he acknowledged he understood.&nbsp;Mar-a-Lago Club has numerous signs posted around the property that clearly state "No Trespassing" with tallgates that remain closed when not in use. At this time, Mar-a-Lago was not accepting visitors or guests, the gates and entry points were closed and manned by USSS security personnel.Reyes is being held at Palm Beach County Jail on a $50,000 bond, according to online jail records. He pleaded not guilty later Tuesday during his first appearance in court. President Trump was in Washington at the time of the incident.It should be noted that effective May 16, 2025, House Bill 1447: Trespass provides enhanced penalties for trespassing on property maintained or secured by federal, state, or local law enforcement officers if specified notice is posted, anyone in violation commits a felony.Based on the facts, police had&nbsp; Probable Cause to arrest Reyes on requested charges of count of Felony Occupied Trespass pursuant to F.S.S 810.09 (1) (a) (2) because he did in fact, without being authorized, licensed, or invited, willfully entered upon and remained on the property at 1100 South Ocean Blvd., Palm Beach, FL 33480, which at the time of the offense, was a federally protected area by the United States Secret Service.

Police: Man scaled wall at Trump's Mar-a-Lago club

LINCOLN, Neb - Senators passed a package of education-related bills June 2, including a measure that updates several postsecondary education laws.

<a href="http://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/search_by_number.php?DocumentNumber=LB306&amp;Legislature=109th" target="_blank">LB306</a>, introduced by the&nbsp;<a href="http://news.legislature.ne.gov/edu" target="_blank">Education Committee</a>, allows the Board of Trustees of the Nebraska State Colleges to enter into long-term leases or financing agreements to fund or refinance student housing and activity centers.

Additionally, it raises the base amount for capital construction projects to $5 million, which includes new buildings, renovations and acquisitions funded by tax dollars, provided that the minimum capital expenditure is met.

The measure also grants the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education the authority to act as the primary body responsible for overseeing the transition of data collection, grants, programs and related responsibilities from the U.S. Department of Education to the governing boards and administrators of Nebraska’s postsecondary institutions, or to the commission itself.

Additionally, the bill clarifies that individuals who have obtained a GED or a high school diploma equivalent are eligible for the Door to College Scholarship, which provides financial assistance for undergraduate students in Nebraska who graduated from a Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center high school or an approved public, private or parochial high school after being discharged.

LB306 also incorporates provisions from three additional bills considered by the committee this session.

Under amended provisions of LB378, introduced by Omaha Sen. Bob Andersen, both public and private postsecondary institutions must report biannually on any funding received from foreign adversarial entities, including contracts, gifts and grants. Institutions must submit such reports to the postsecondary coordinating commission, which will make them publicly available on its website.

Provisions of LB497, introduced by Glenvil Sen. Dave Murman, allow students enrolled in a private, denominational, parochial or nonaccredited school to participate in extracurricular activities in the district closest to where the student’s parent resides that offers the activity if the local district does not.

Murman’s proposal also clarifies that a part-time student wishing to participate in extracurricular activities must be enrolled in at least five credit hours but is not limited to five credit hours.

Amended provisions of LB625, introduced by Norfolk Sen. Robert Dover, require the Department of Administrative Services to create and maintain a public website outlining financial information about Nebraska school districts, including details on revenue sources and expenditures.

LB306 passed on a vote of 41-8 and takes effect immediately.

Story by Unicameral UpdateLINCOLN, Neb - Senators passed a package of education-related bills June 2, including a measure that updates several postsecondary education laws.<a href="http://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/search_by_number.php?DocumentNumber=LB306&amp;Legislature=109th" target="_blank">LB306</a>, introduced by the&nbsp;<a href="http://news.legislature.ne.gov/edu" target="_blank">Education Committee</a>, allows the Board of Trustees of the Nebraska State Colleges to enter into long-term leases or financing agreements to fund or refinance student housing and activity centers.Additionally, it raises the base amount for capital construction projects to $5 million, which includes new buildings, renovations and acquisitions funded by tax dollars, provided that the minimum capital expenditure is met.The measure also grants the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education the authority to act as the primary body responsible for overseeing the transition of data collection, grants, programs and related responsibilities from the U.S. Department of Education to the governing boards and administrators of Nebraska’s postsecondary institutions, or to the commission itself.Additionally, the bill clarifies that individuals who have obtained a GED or a high school diploma equivalent are eligible for the Door to College Scholarship, which provides financial assistance for undergraduate students in Nebraska who graduated from a Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center high school or an approved public, private or parochial high school after being discharged.LB306 also incorporates provisions from three additional bills considered by the committee this session.Under amended provisions of LB378, introduced by Omaha Sen. Bob Andersen, both public and private postsecondary institutions must report biannually on any funding received from foreign adversarial entities, including contracts, gifts and grants. Institutions must submit such reports to the postsecondary coordinating commission, which will make them publicly available on its website.Provisions of LB497, introduced by Glenvil Sen. Dave Murman, allow students enrolled in a private, denominational, parochial or nonaccredited school to participate in extracurricular activities in the district closest to where the student’s parent resides that offers the activity if the local district does not.Murman’s proposal also clarifies that a part-time student wishing to participate in extracurricular activities must be enrolled in at least five credit hours but is not limited to five credit hours.Amended provisions of LB625, introduced by Norfolk Sen. Robert Dover, require the Department of Administrative Services to create and maintain a public website outlining financial information about Nebraska school districts, including details on revenue sources and expenditures.LB306 passed on a vote of 41-8 and takes effect immediately.

Education package approved

DETROIT&nbsp;– Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, citizens of the People’s Republic of China, were charged in a criminal complaint with conspiracy, smuggling goods into the United States, false statements, and visa fraud, announced United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr.

Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division and Marty C. Raybon, Director of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection.

The FBI arrested Jian in connection with allegations related to Jian’s and Liu’s smuggling into America a fungus called Fusarium graminearum, which scientific literature classifies as a potential agroterrorism weapon. This noxious fungus causes “head blight,” a disease of wheat, barley, maize, and rice, and is responsible for billions of dollars in economic losses worldwide each year. Fusarium graminearum’s toxins cause vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive defects in humans and livestock.

According to the complaint, Jian received Chinese government funding for her work on this pathogen in China. The complaint also alleges that Jian’s electronics contain information describing her membership in and loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party. It is further alleged that Jian’s boyfriend, Liu, works at a Chinese university where he conducts research on the same pathogen and that he first lied but then admitted to smuggling Fusarium graminearum into America—through the Detroit Metropolitan Airport—so that he could conduct research on it at the laboratory at the University of Michigan where his girlfriend, Jian, worked.

United States Attorney Gorgon stated: “The alleged actions of these Chinese nationals—including a loyal member of the Chinese Communist Party—are of the gravest national security concerns. These two aliens have been charged with smuggling a fungus that has been described as a ‘potential agroterrorism weapon’ into the heartland of America, where they apparently intended to use a University of Michigan laboratory to further their scheme.”

“The federal charges announced today against Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu, both residents of the People’s Republic of China, signify a crucial advancement in our efforts to safeguard our communities and uphold national security,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “These individuals exploited their access to laboratory facilities at a local university to engage in the smuggling of biological pathogens, an act that posed an imminent threat to public safety. Thanks to the exceptional investigative efforts of the FBI Detroit Counterintelligence Task Force, in close cooperation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Field Operations these dangerous activities have been effectively halted. The FBI remains resolutely committed to collaborating with our law enforcement partners to protect the residents of Michigan and defend the United States against such grave threats.”

U.S. Custom and Border Protection, Director of Field Operations Marty C. Raybon stated, “Today’s criminal charges levied upon Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu are indicative of CBP’s critical role in protecting the American people from biological threats that could devastate our agricultural economy and cause harm to humans; especially when it involves a researcher from a major university attempting to clandestinely bring potentially harmful biological materials into the United States. This was a complex investigation involving CBP offices from across the country, alongside our federal partners. I’m grateful for their tireless efforts, ensuring our borders remain secure from all types of threats while safeguarding America’s national security interests.”

Jian will be appearing this afternoon in federal court in Detroit for her initial appearance on the complaint.

A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Trial cannot be held on felony charges in a complaint. When the investigation is completed, a determination will be made whether to seek a felony indictment.

The FBI and CBP are investigating this case.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1749002066377.png" alt="Photo United State's District Court" />
 <figcaption>Photo United State's District Court</figcaption>
 </figure>DETROIT&nbsp;– Yunqing Jian, 33, and Zunyong Liu, 34, citizens of the People’s Republic of China, were charged in a criminal complaint with conspiracy, smuggling goods into the United States, false statements, and visa fraud, announced United States Attorney Jerome F. Gorgon, Jr.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet">New... I can confirm that the FBI arrested a Chinese national within the United States who allegedly smuggled a dangerous biological pathogen into the country. The individual, Yunqing Jian, is alleged to have smuggled a dangerous fungus called &quot;Fusarium graminearum,&quot; which is an…&mdash; FBI Director Kash Patel (@FBIDirectorKash) <a href="https://twitter.com/FBIDirectorKash/status/1930044884284523001?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">June 3, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Gorgon was joined in the announcement by Special Agent in Charge Cheyvoryea Gibson, Federal Bureau of Investigation, Detroit Division and Marty C. Raybon, Director of Field Operations, U.S. Customs and Border Protection.The FBI arrested Jian in connection with allegations related to Jian’s and Liu’s smuggling into America a fungus called Fusarium graminearum, which scientific literature classifies as a potential agroterrorism weapon. This noxious fungus causes “head blight,” a disease of wheat, barley, maize, and rice, and is responsible for billions of dollars in economic losses worldwide each year. Fusarium graminearum’s toxins cause vomiting, liver damage, and reproductive defects in humans and livestock.According to the complaint, Jian received Chinese government funding for her work on this pathogen in China. The complaint also alleges that Jian’s electronics contain information describing her membership in and loyalty to the Chinese Communist Party. It is further alleged that Jian’s boyfriend, Liu, works at a Chinese university where he conducts research on the same pathogen and that he first lied but then admitted to smuggling Fusarium graminearum into America—through the Detroit Metropolitan Airport—so that he could conduct research on it at the laboratory at the University of Michigan where his girlfriend, Jian, worked.United States Attorney Gorgon stated: “The alleged actions of these Chinese nationals—including a loyal member of the Chinese Communist Party—are of the gravest national security concerns. These two aliens have been charged with smuggling a fungus that has been described as a ‘potential agroterrorism weapon’ into the heartland of America, where they apparently intended to use a University of Michigan laboratory to further their scheme.”“The federal charges announced today against Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu, both residents of the People’s Republic of China, signify a crucial advancement in our efforts to safeguard our communities and uphold national security,” said Cheyvoryea Gibson, Special Agent in Charge of the FBI Detroit Field Office. “These individuals exploited their access to laboratory facilities at a local university to engage in the smuggling of biological pathogens, an act that posed an imminent threat to public safety. Thanks to the exceptional investigative efforts of the FBI Detroit Counterintelligence Task Force, in close cooperation with U.S. Customs and Border Protection’s Office of Field Operations these dangerous activities have been effectively halted. The FBI remains resolutely committed to collaborating with our law enforcement partners to protect the residents of Michigan and defend the United States against such grave threats.”U.S. Custom and Border Protection, Director of Field Operations Marty C. Raybon stated, “Today’s criminal charges levied upon Yunqing Jian and Zunyong Liu are indicative of CBP’s critical role in protecting the American people from biological threats that could devastate our agricultural economy and cause harm to humans; especially when it involves a researcher from a major university attempting to clandestinely bring potentially harmful biological materials into the United States. This was a complex investigation involving CBP offices from across the country, alongside our federal partners. I’m grateful for their tireless efforts, ensuring our borders remain secure from all types of threats while safeguarding America’s national security interests.”Jian will be appearing this afternoon in federal court in Detroit for her initial appearance on the complaint.A complaint is only a charge and is not evidence of guilt. Trial cannot be held on felony charges in a complaint. When the investigation is completed, a determination will be made whether to seek a felony indictment.The FBI and CBP are investigating this case.

Chinese couple charged with smuggling biological pathogen into the U.S.

LINCOLN, Neb&nbsp; — Colonel Bryan Waugh took the oath of office today as the 19th&nbsp;Superintendent in the history of the Nebraska State Patrol.

“I am honored, committed, and prepared for this opportunity,” said Colonel Waugh. “The Nebraska State Patrol is a storied organization with professional men and women who are first class, dedicated, committed, and driven to provide the highest level of public safety and professional services for the entire state of Nebraska.”

Waugh comes to NSP from the Kearney Police Department, where he has served as Chief of Police since 2019. He brings 32 years of law enforcement experience to NSP, including his service with the Kearney Police Department, the La Vista Police Department, and in the United States Air Force. He is also a graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy.

Waugh was appointed to serve as Nebraska’s Superintendent of Law Enforcement and Public Safety by Governor Jim Pillen and unanimously confirmed by the Nebraska Legislature. Colonel Waugh’s badge was pinned on by his wife, Julie. The Oath of Office was administered by the Hon. Patrick Lee, Judge of Nebraska’s 9th&nbsp;District Court.

Colonel Waugh takes over for Lt. Colonel Jeff Roby, who has served as Interim Superintendent since the retirement of Colonel John Bolduc in early May.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1748965318730.jpeg" alt="Colonel Waugh Sworn-In as Nebraska State Patrol Superintendent" />
 <figcaption>Colonel Waugh Sworn-In as Nebraska State Patrol Superintendent</figcaption>
 </figure>LINCOLN, Neb&nbsp; — Colonel Bryan Waugh took the oath of office today as the 19th&nbsp;Superintendent in the history of the Nebraska State Patrol.“I am honored, committed, and prepared for this opportunity,” said Colonel Waugh. “The Nebraska State Patrol is a storied organization with professional men and women who are first class, dedicated, committed, and driven to provide the highest level of public safety and professional services for the entire state of Nebraska.”Waugh comes to NSP from the Kearney Police Department, where he has served as Chief of Police since 2019. He brings 32 years of law enforcement experience to NSP, including his service with the Kearney Police Department, the La Vista Police Department, and in the United States Air Force. He is also a graduate of the prestigious FBI National Academy.Waugh was appointed to serve as Nebraska’s Superintendent of Law Enforcement and Public Safety by Governor Jim Pillen and unanimously confirmed by the Nebraska Legislature. Colonel Waugh’s badge was pinned on by his wife, Julie. The Oath of Office was administered by the Hon. Patrick Lee, Judge of Nebraska’s 9th&nbsp;District Court.Colonel Waugh takes over for Lt. Colonel Jeff Roby, who has served as Interim Superintendent since the retirement of Colonel John Bolduc in early May.

Colonel Waugh Sworn-In as Nebraska State Patrol Superintendent

June 2, 2025 (York, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested an Arizona man after locating over 20 pounds of suspected fentanyl pills and methamphetamine during a traffic stop on I-80.

Friday, at approximately 3:10 p.m., a trooper saw a Nissan Altima speeding while traveling eastbound on Interstate 80 near York. During the traffic stop, an NSP K9 detected the odor of a controlled substance in the vehicle.

Troopers searched the vehicle and found numerous packages of suspected fentanyl pills and methamphetamine. The total weight of the pills was approximately 19 pounds along with 5 pounds of suspected methamphetamine.

The driver, Thomas Henry, 36, of Williams, Arizona, was arrested for possession of controlled substances and possession with intent to deliver. He was lodged in York County Jail.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1748875344175.jpeg" alt="Troopers Find Thousands of Fentanyl Pills, Meth in I-80 Traffic Stop" />
 <figcaption>Troopers Find Thousands of Fentanyl Pills, Meth in I-80 Traffic Stop</figcaption>
 </figure>June 2, 2025 (York, Neb.)&nbsp;&nbsp;— Troopers with the Nebraska State Patrol have arrested an Arizona man after locating over 20 pounds of suspected fentanyl pills and methamphetamine during a traffic stop on I-80.Friday, at approximately 3:10 p.m., a trooper saw a Nissan Altima speeding while traveling eastbound on Interstate 80 near York. During the traffic stop, an NSP K9 detected the odor of a controlled substance in the vehicle.Troopers searched the vehicle and found numerous packages of suspected fentanyl pills and methamphetamine. The total weight of the pills was approximately 19 pounds along with 5 pounds of suspected methamphetamine.The driver, Thomas Henry, 36, of Williams, Arizona, was arrested for possession of controlled substances and possession with intent to deliver. He was lodged in York County Jail.

Troopers Find Thousands of Fentanyl Pills, Meth in I-80 Traffic Stop

Lincoln, Neb., May 30&nbsp;—&nbsp;Agricultural landowners and tenants in Nebraska who are involved in crop share lease agreements are invited to participate in a new survey from the Center for Agricultural Profitability at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Data from responses will be used to better understand how crop share leases are structured across the state and inform new publications.Crop share agreements allow landlords and tenants to share both the risks and rewards of crop production. But the terms of these agreements — how costs and returns are divided — can differ widely depending on region, crop type, land productivity, and local traditions.

“Many leases are still based on verbal agreements or old rules of thumb,” said Anastasia Meyer, extension agricultural economist with the Center for Agricultural Profitability. “We know practices vary, but we don’t have consistent statewide data showing how. This survey is an important step toward helping landowners and producers make better-informed decisions.”

The anonymous survey asks participants — whether landlords or tenants — about lease structures, shared expenses, and other common terms. Results will inform the development of educational materials and tools to support fair and effective lease negotiations across Nebraska.

The brief survey is open now at:&nbsp;<a href="https://unl233.acemlnb.com/lt.php?x=3DZy~GDDJFPP6HOtyt~OV.Oh2q-giQ~0k~sxkKI4KXTO5HR9_Uy.0eFu13VziNLxk_Y0X6HFKneg6m" target="_blank">https://go.unl.edu/2025cropshare</a>.

“Completing the survey takes just a few minutes,” Meyer said. “Responses will help paint a clearer picture of current leasing trends and ensure educational resources reflect what’s really happening in the field.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/6/1748868071461.jpeg" alt=" " />
 <figcaption> </figcaption>
 </figure>Lincoln, Neb., May 30&nbsp;—&nbsp;Agricultural landowners and tenants in Nebraska who are involved in crop share lease agreements are invited to participate in a new survey from the Center for Agricultural Profitability at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. Data from responses will be used to better understand how crop share leases are structured across the state and inform new publications.Crop share agreements allow landlords and tenants to share both the risks and rewards of crop production. But the terms of these agreements — how costs and returns are divided — can differ widely depending on region, crop type, land productivity, and local traditions.“Many leases are still based on verbal agreements or old rules of thumb,” said Anastasia Meyer, extension agricultural economist with the Center for Agricultural Profitability. “We know practices vary, but we don’t have consistent statewide data showing how. This survey is an important step toward helping landowners and producers make better-informed decisions.”The anonymous survey asks participants — whether landlords or tenants — about lease structures, shared expenses, and other common terms. Results will inform the development of educational materials and tools to support fair and effective lease negotiations across Nebraska.The brief survey is open now at:&nbsp;<a href="https://unl233.acemlnb.com/lt.php?x=3DZy~GDDJFPP6HOtyt~OV.Oh2q-giQ~0k~sxkKI4KXTO5HR9_Uy.0eFu13VziNLxk_Y0X6HFKneg6m" target="_blank">https://go.unl.edu/2025cropshare</a>.“Completing the survey takes just a few minutes,” Meyer said. “Responses will help paint a clearer picture of current leasing trends and ensure educational resources reflect what’s really happening in the field.”&nbsp;&nbsp;

UNL Seeks Input from Nebraska Ag Landowners and Tenants in New Crop Share Survey

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/author/ropshal/">Robin Opsahl</a> <a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/">Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>

PARKERSBURG — At a sometimes raucous town hall meeting Friday morning, U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst faced vocal opposition to her support for spending cuts to programs such as Medicaid and SNAP.

Like many other Republican lawmakers holding events with constituents throughout the country, Ernst faced a crowd at the Aplington-Parkersburg High School who were upset with decisions made by President Donald Trump and the GOP-controlled Congress — particularly as they relate to funding for health care and food assistance programs included in the “big, beautiful” budget reconciliation bill that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-republicans-push-through-massive-tax-and-spending-bill-slashing-medicaid" target="_blank">narrowly passed the U.S. House</a>&nbsp;earlier in May.

Though Ernst said the Senate would make changes to the measure and advance their own version of the legislation, she defended reductions in spending for Medicaid at the town hall, saying the changes will not impact people in need but will remove from the program “illegals that are receiving Medicaid benefits” and able-bodied adults who are not working.

“People will die,” a woman shouted at the stage as Ernst answered one of several questions about the cuts.

“People are not — well, we all are going to die, so for heaven’s sake,” Ernst said in a response that was met by further shouts and jeering from the crowd.

Ernst said she agrees with most of the provisions on Medicaid included in the House version of the budget reconciliation bill, saying that it was targeted at changes to the public health care program that “made it much easier to get onto Medicaid, but much tougher to take people off of Medicaid.” Ernst said many people on Medicaid currently are working full-time and have access to other benefits.

“What we have to do is make sure that those that are not eligible by the federal standard for Medicaid are not receiving Medicaid,” Ernst said. “What we do need to do is make sure that those that are part of a vulnerable population have access to Medicaid and receive those full benefits. So what we’re trying to do is strengthen Medicaid by directing the dollars to the people that actually meet the requirements of the program.”

In its House form, the bill includes a $625 billion reduction in federal spending for Medicaid over 10 years, according to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office. It also includes 80-hour-per-month work requirements for people between ages 19 and 65 to continue receiving Medicaid health coverage, with several exceptions for people with disabilities and complex medical conditions, pregnant people, tribal community members and parents of dependent children.

Elizabeth Kehret, who works for Lutheran Services in Iowa, said she was troubled by the potential impact of Medicaid cuts for pregnant woman, saying that she was previously enrolled on Medicaid during her four pregnancies before the&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/04/03/postpartum-medicaid-extension-with-cut-in-eligibility-heads-to-governors-desk/">state revised eligibility for postpartum coverage</a>, changing it from families with incomes of 375% of the federal poverty line to those at 215% of the federal poverty line.

Kehret said she was concerned the federal Medicaid spending cuts would cause similar cuts for care in states across the country, meaning pregnant people, who may also have private health coverage, will struggle to pay for the medical care required both before and after their child is born.

“I heard you say earlier about people who work full time but still get Medicaid — yeah,” Kehret said. “I meet with dozens of women who have dual enrollment, where they have private insurance as well as Medicaid, and it helps cover the things that their private insurance doesn’t, or that high deductible. … Medicaid is extremely important to the smallest and most vulnerable population in Iowa.”

Ernst said there were provisions to allow continued Medicaid coverage for pregnant people in the House bill.

“Because you are part of that vulnerable population, we want to make sure that you have access to Medicaid,” Ernst said. “So you will hear examples of those like the able-bodied, 30-year-old man who is taking advantage of the program, not working. What we’re asking is that please engage in work activities, engage in volunteer activities, be enrolled in a training program, and then that makes you Medicaid eligible.”

Similar concerns were brought up about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, that provides food assistance to low-income individuals. Under the House budget plan, some costs of SNAP would be moved to the states, in addition to adding other work requirements. Ernst said the House bill is correcting “overpayments” from states on SNAP, in addition to removing “people that have not been eligible for these programs by law as it is currently written” from public assistance.

Several veterans also spoke at the event, criticizing Republicans and Elon Musk’s DOGE Service for cuts to veterans’ assistance programs and cuts to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. In response, Ernst said, “We’re not cutting veterans benefits.”

Several veterans have been outspoken about&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/we-call-it-betrayal-veterans-join-dems-dc-protest-trumps-sweeping-va-job-cuts" target="_blank">changes made by DOGE</a>&nbsp;to the VA, including the cut of roughly 2,400 VA jobs in early March.

Ernst has been a major supporter of DOGE and efforts to make government more “efficient,” saying Republicans and Musk are focused on removing areas of unnecessary spending and “streamlining” existing programs and services. Ernst highlighted the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as an entity that can be made more efficient through DOGE efforts in response to a question on federal support following natural disasters.

“Department of Government Efficiency … the E is not about elimination, it is about efficiency,” Ernst said. “So how can we do better as a federal government to respond to the people on the ground?”

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/author/ropshal/">Robin Opsahl</a> <a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/">Iowa Capital Dispatch</a>PARKERSBURG — At a sometimes raucous town hall meeting Friday morning, U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst faced vocal opposition to her support for spending cuts to programs such as Medicaid and SNAP.<div><blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-media-max-width="560">During a town hall meeting, when discussing Medicaid benefits, Sen. Joni Ernst (R-IA) responds to someone: &quot;Well, we all are going to die.&quot; <a href="https://t.co/HDj0w27vHJ">pic.twitter.com/HDj0w27vHJ</a>&mdash; CSPAN (@cspan) <a href="https://twitter.com/cspan/status/1928477381359972502?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 30, 2025</a></blockquote> <script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>Like many other Republican lawmakers holding events with constituents throughout the country, Ernst faced a crowd at the Aplington-Parkersburg High School who were upset with decisions made by President Donald Trump and the GOP-controlled Congress — particularly as they relate to funding for health care and food assistance programs included in the “big, beautiful” budget reconciliation bill that&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-house-republicans-push-through-massive-tax-and-spending-bill-slashing-medicaid" target="_blank">narrowly passed the U.S. House</a>&nbsp;earlier in May.Though Ernst said the Senate would make changes to the measure and advance their own version of the legislation, she defended reductions in spending for Medicaid at the town hall, saying the changes will not impact people in need but will remove from the program “illegals that are receiving Medicaid benefits” and able-bodied adults who are not working.“People will die,” a woman shouted at the stage as Ernst answered one of several questions about the cuts.“People are not — well, we all are going to die, so for heaven’s sake,” Ernst said in a response that was met by further shouts and jeering from the crowd.Ernst said she agrees with most of the provisions on Medicaid included in the House version of the budget reconciliation bill, saying that it was targeted at changes to the public health care program that “made it much easier to get onto Medicaid, but much tougher to take people off of Medicaid.” Ernst said many people on Medicaid currently are working full-time and have access to other benefits.“What we have to do is make sure that those that are not eligible by the federal standard for Medicaid are not receiving Medicaid,” Ernst said. “What we do need to do is make sure that those that are part of a vulnerable population have access to Medicaid and receive those full benefits. So what we’re trying to do is strengthen Medicaid by directing the dollars to the people that actually meet the requirements of the program.”In its House form, the bill includes a $625 billion reduction in federal spending for Medicaid over 10 years, according to estimates from the Congressional Budget Office. It also includes 80-hour-per-month work requirements for people between ages 19 and 65 to continue receiving Medicaid health coverage, with several exceptions for people with disabilities and complex medical conditions, pregnant people, tribal community members and parents of dependent children.Elizabeth Kehret, who works for Lutheran Services in Iowa, said she was troubled by the potential impact of Medicaid cuts for pregnant woman, saying that she was previously enrolled on Medicaid during her four pregnancies before the&nbsp;<a href="https://iowacapitaldispatch.com/2024/04/03/postpartum-medicaid-extension-with-cut-in-eligibility-heads-to-governors-desk/">state revised eligibility for postpartum coverage</a>, changing it from families with incomes of 375% of the federal poverty line to those at 215% of the federal poverty line.Kehret said she was concerned the federal Medicaid spending cuts would cause similar cuts for care in states across the country, meaning pregnant people, who may also have private health coverage, will struggle to pay for the medical care required both before and after their child is born.“I heard you say earlier about people who work full time but still get Medicaid — yeah,” Kehret said. “I meet with dozens of women who have dual enrollment, where they have private insurance as well as Medicaid, and it helps cover the things that their private insurance doesn’t, or that high deductible. … Medicaid is extremely important to the smallest and most vulnerable population in Iowa.”Ernst said there were provisions to allow continued Medicaid coverage for pregnant people in the House bill.“Because you are part of that vulnerable population, we want to make sure that you have access to Medicaid,” Ernst said. “So you will hear examples of those like the able-bodied, 30-year-old man who is taking advantage of the program, not working. What we’re asking is that please engage in work activities, engage in volunteer activities, be enrolled in a training program, and then that makes you Medicaid eligible.”Similar concerns were brought up about the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program, known as SNAP, that provides food assistance to low-income individuals. Under the House budget plan, some costs of SNAP would be moved to the states, in addition to adding other work requirements. Ernst said the House bill is correcting “overpayments” from states on SNAP, in addition to removing “people that have not been eligible for these programs by law as it is currently written” from public assistance.Several veterans also spoke at the event, criticizing Republicans and Elon Musk’s DOGE Service for cuts to veterans’ assistance programs and cuts to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. In response, Ernst said, “We’re not cutting veterans benefits.”Several veterans have been outspoken about&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/we-call-it-betrayal-veterans-join-dems-dc-protest-trumps-sweeping-va-job-cuts" target="_blank">changes made by DOGE</a>&nbsp;to the VA, including the cut of roughly 2,400 VA jobs in early March.Ernst has been a major supporter of DOGE and efforts to make government more “efficient,” saying Republicans and Musk are focused on removing areas of unnecessary spending and “streamlining” existing programs and services. Ernst highlighted the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) as an entity that can be made more efficient through DOGE efforts in response to a question on federal support following natural disasters.“Department of Government Efficiency … the E is not about elimination, it is about efficiency,” Ernst said. “So how can we do better as a federal government to respond to the people on the ground?”

‘Well, we all are going to die’: U.S. Sen. Joni Ernst defends Medicaid cuts at heated town hall

By:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">Ariana Figueroa</a>

WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court Friday said it will allow the Trump administration to remove deportation protections for more than 500,000 nationals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela who were given permission to temporarily remain and work in the United States by the Biden administration.

The move by the high court — which permits the deportations while a lawsuit continues to work its way through the courts — came after a district court in Massachusetts in April blocked the Trump administration from ending the Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela, or CHNV, program for 532,000 people.

It’s the second decision by the Supreme Court this month stripping immigrants of some form of temporary legal protections, affecting more than 800,000 people in the country without permanent legal status who are now subject to swift deportation.

<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-supreme-court-lets-trump-end-protected-status-350000-venezuelan-migrants" target="_blank">On May 19, the Supreme Court allowed</a>&nbsp;the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status for 350,000 Venezuelans who were granted the protection from deportation because their home country was deemed too unstable to return to due to the political regime.

Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin welcomed the ruling.

“Ending the CHNV parole programs, as well as the paroles of those who exploited it, will be a necessary return to common-sense policies, a return to public safety, and a return to America First,” she said in a statement.

Todd Schulte, the president of the immigration advocacy group FWD.us, said in a statement that the high court’s decision “penalizes half a million people for complying with our immigration laws.”

“This decision will have devastating and immediate consequences, and is part of a broader attempt by the executive branch to justify further immigration enforcement crackdowns against families across the country,” Schulte said. “The government failed to show any harm remotely comparable to that which will come from a half million people losing their jobs and becoming subject to deportation.”&nbsp;

Friday’s case is one of several immigration-related emergency requests the Department of Justice has brought to the high court, as the Trump administration aims to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/supreme-court-permits-trump-use-wartime-law-deportations-now-and-limits" target="_blank">carry out mass deportations</a>, wind down temporary legal pathways for immigrants and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-supreme-court-hear-case-trumps-birthright-citizenship-order" target="_blank">redefine the constitutional right of birthright citizenship.</a>

No judicial review for parole, DOJ argues

<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/24/24A1079/358354/20250508121118618_Kristi_Noem_v_Svitlana_Doe_et_al_%20application_stay.pdf" target="_blank">In the emergency filing</a>&nbsp;to the high court in Friday’s case, Solicitor General D. John Sauer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-asks-us-supreme-court-end-humanitarian-protections-migrants-4-nations" target="_blank">argued&nbsp;</a>that the Immigration Nationality Act bars judicial review of discretionary decisions, such as what is called humanitarian parole, for the CHNV program.

He added that Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem terminated the program because it does not align with the interests of the Trump administration.

Liberal justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented.

“The Court has plainly botched this assessment today,” Jackson wrote in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/24a1079_p86b.pdf" target="_blank">her dissent.</a>&nbsp;“It undervalues the devastating consequences of allowing the Government to precipitously upend the lives and livelihoods of nearly half a million noncitizens while their legal claims are pending.”

She argued that the Trump administration did not prove it would be harmed by the preliminary injunction.&nbsp;An appeals court previously rejected the government’s request to put the lower court’s order on hold.

“While it is apparent that the Government seeks a stay to enable it to inflict maximum predecision damage, court-ordered stays exist to minimize—not maximize—harm to litigating parties,” Jackson wrote.

President Joe Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://georgiarecorder.com/briefs/biden-administration-to-rapidly-expel-more-migrants-at-the-border-add-legal-pathways/" target="_blank">created the CHNV program in 2023</a>. It temporarily granted work permits and allowed thousands of nationals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela to remain in the country if they were sponsored by someone in the United States and passed a background check.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2022/12/1672235865420.png" alt="Supreme Court Credit: Fred Schilling, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States" />
 <figcaption>Supreme Court Credit: Fred Schilling, Collection of the Supreme Court of the United States</figcaption>
 </figure>By:&nbsp;<a href="https://nebraskaexaminer.com/author/ariana-figueroa/">Ariana Figueroa</a>WASHINGTON — The U.S. Supreme Court Friday said it will allow the Trump administration to remove deportation protections for more than 500,000 nationals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela who were given permission to temporarily remain and work in the United States by the Biden administration.The move by the high court — which permits the deportations while a lawsuit continues to work its way through the courts — came after a district court in Massachusetts in April blocked the Trump administration from ending the Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela, or CHNV, program for 532,000 people.It’s the second decision by the Supreme Court this month stripping immigrants of some form of temporary legal protections, affecting more than 800,000 people in the country without permanent legal status who are now subject to swift deportation.<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-supreme-court-lets-trump-end-protected-status-350000-venezuelan-migrants" target="_blank">On May 19, the Supreme Court allowed</a>&nbsp;the Trump administration to end Temporary Protected Status for 350,000 Venezuelans who were granted the protection from deportation because their home country was deemed too unstable to return to due to the political regime.Department of Homeland Security Assistant Secretary Tricia McLaughlin welcomed the ruling.“Ending the CHNV parole programs, as well as the paroles of those who exploited it, will be a necessary return to common-sense policies, a return to public safety, and a return to America First,” she said in a statement.Todd Schulte, the president of the immigration advocacy group FWD.us, said in a statement that the high court’s decision “penalizes half a million people for complying with our immigration laws.”“This decision will have devastating and immediate consequences, and is part of a broader attempt by the executive branch to justify further immigration enforcement crackdowns against families across the country,” Schulte said. “The government failed to show any harm remotely comparable to that which will come from a half million people losing their jobs and becoming subject to deportation.”&nbsp;Friday’s case is one of several immigration-related emergency requests the Department of Justice has brought to the high court, as the Trump administration aims to&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/supreme-court-permits-trump-use-wartime-law-deportations-now-and-limits" target="_blank">carry out mass deportations</a>, wind down temporary legal pathways for immigrants and&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/us-supreme-court-hear-case-trumps-birthright-citizenship-order" target="_blank">redefine the constitutional right of birthright citizenship.</a><h2>No judicial review for parole, DOJ argues</h2><a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/24/24A1079/358354/20250508121118618_Kristi_Noem_v_Svitlana_Doe_et_al_%20application_stay.pdf" target="_blank">In the emergency filing</a>&nbsp;to the high court in Friday’s case, Solicitor General D. John Sauer&nbsp;<a href="https://www.newsfromthestates.com/article/trump-asks-us-supreme-court-end-humanitarian-protections-migrants-4-nations" target="_blank">argued&nbsp;</a>that the Immigration Nationality Act bars judicial review of discretionary decisions, such as what is called humanitarian parole, for the CHNV program.He added that Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem terminated the program because it does not align with the interests of the Trump administration.Liberal justices Sonia Sotomayor and Ketanji Brown Jackson dissented.“The Court has plainly botched this assessment today,” Jackson wrote in&nbsp;<a href="https://www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/24pdf/24a1079_p86b.pdf" target="_blank">her dissent.</a>&nbsp;“It undervalues the devastating consequences of allowing the Government to precipitously upend the lives and livelihoods of nearly half a million noncitizens while their legal claims are pending.”She argued that the Trump administration did not prove it would be harmed by the preliminary injunction.&nbsp;An appeals court previously rejected the government’s request to put the lower court’s order on hold.“While it is apparent that the Government seeks a stay to enable it to inflict maximum predecision damage, court-ordered stays exist to minimize—not maximize—harm to litigating parties,” Jackson wrote.President Joe Biden&nbsp;<a href="https://georgiarecorder.com/briefs/biden-administration-to-rapidly-expel-more-migrants-at-the-border-add-legal-pathways/" target="_blank">created the CHNV program in 2023</a>. It temporarily granted work permits and allowed thousands of nationals from Cuba, Haiti, Nicaragua and Venezuela to remain in the country if they were sponsored by someone in the United States and passed a background check.

US Supreme Court permits deportation of another half million migrants, for now

LINCOLN, Neb - An omnibus education proposal cleared the first round of debate May 27 after senators amended it to remove several elements of the package. The proposal was further amended on select file May 29 before advancing to final reading.

<a href="http://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/search_by_number.php?DocumentNumber=LB306&amp;Legislature=109th" target="_blank">LB306</a>&nbsp;was introduced by the&nbsp;<a href="http://news.legislature.ne.gov/edu" target="_blank">Education Committee</a>&nbsp;as a cleanup measure that would make several updates to laws related to postsecondary education in Nebraska.

The bill would allow the Board of Trustees of the Nebraska State Colleges to enter into long-term leases, lease-purchase agreements or financing contracts with a third party to finance or refinance student housing or student activity facilities.

Additionally, LB306 would raise the base amount for capital construction projects to $5 million, which includes new buildings, renovations and acquisitions funded by tax dollars, provided that the minimum capital expenditure is met.

The base amount for capital expenditures related to operations and maintenance would be $200,000 within 10 years after substantial completion or acquisition. No tax funds could be used for increases beyond such amounts for facilities not classified as capital construction projects.

The measure also would grant the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education the authority to act as the primary body responsible for overseeing the transition of data collection, grants, programs and related responsibilities from the U.S. Department of Education to the governing boards and administrators of Nebraska’s postsecondary institutions, or to the commission itself.

Additionally, LB306 would require the Board of Trustees of the Nebraska State Colleges to accept Classic Learning Test, or CLT, results in determining eligibility for the Nebraska Career Scholarship. This change would provide an alternative to the ACT currently used to determine eligibility.

The measure also would clarify that individuals who have obtained a GED or a high school diploma equivalent are eligible for the Door to College Scholarship, which provides financial assistance for undergraduate students in Nebraska who graduated from a Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center high school or an approved public, private or parochial high school after being discharged.

<a href="http://news.legislature.ne.gov/dist38" target="_blank">Sen. Dave Murman</a>&nbsp;of Glenvil, chairperson of the committee, said the proposed change would enable former YRTC students — who may have been out of school for long periods or attended multiple high schools and consequently earned a GED instead of a diploma — to apply for a scholarship.

“If [students] showed initiative to get their GED, they ought to have the same opportunity for the scholarship,” he said.

An Education Committee amendment was offered during general file debate May 21 to replace the bill and add provisions of several other proposals.

Under the amended provisions of LB378, introduced by Omaha Sen. Bob Andersen, both public and private postsecondary institutions would be required to report biannually on any funding received from foreign adversarial entities, including contracts, gifts and grants. Tuition payments for students would be excluded.

Postsecondary institutions also would be required to submit such reports to the Postsecondary Coordinating Commission, which would make the reports publicly available on its website.

Also included are provisions of LB408, introduced by Lincoln Sen. George Dugan. The proposal would establish the Special Education Teacher Forgivable Loan Program Act, which seeks to assist individuals pursuing degrees in special education by offering forgivable loans to those who commit to teaching in Nebraska after obtaining their certification as a teacher with a special education endorsement.

The committee amendment also includes amended provisions of Omaha Sen. Asheli Spivey’s LB440, which would adopt the Education Leave and Support Act and provide teachers facing family or medical challenges with three weeks of paid family and medical leave. Under the measure, a payroll fee of 0.35% would be applied to the taxable wages of certificated teachers in Nebraska beginning Jan. 1, 2026.

School districts would match the contribution before remitting the fee quarterly to the state treasurer, who would direct the funds to a newly created State Education Leave Fund. The new fund would be administered by the state Department of Education and used solely to reimburse school districts for substitute teacher costs for the first six weeks of a covered employee’s family and medical leave.

Spivey said her proposal would allow teachers to take FMLA leave without having to exhaust their sick leave or paid time off and, as a result, could prevent some teachers from having to leave the profession.

“You cannot plan for a significant life event, and this bill will allow for teachers to take care of their health and also be able to maintain employment [so] they don’t have to choose,” she said.

Also included are amended provisions of Central City Sen. Loren Lippincott’s LB550, which would permit school districts to implement a policy allowing students to attend off-site released time religious instruction — or RTRI — for at least one non-core curriculum class period per week.

Under the proposal, parents, guardians or educational decisionmakers must provide written consent for a student to participate in RTRI. All RTRI would be required to occur off school property and school districts could not expend funds toward RTRI, except from minimal administrative costs.

Finally, the amendment includes provisions of LB682, introduced by the Education Committee, which would restrict school superintendents from receiving income from other education-related employment, such as work with education foundations or consulting. The bill also would require superintendents to file an annual financial interest statement with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission.

During general file debate May 21, Omaha Sen. Megan Hunt filed an amendment to remove the provisions of LB550 from the committee amendment. RTRI organizations often use incentives like t-shirts and snacks to draw students to the program, she said, which could ostracize students who don’t participate in RTRI.

“Parents can send their kids to whatever religious instruction they want to, but part of a public education in Nebraska does not include 120 minutes for church,” Hunt said. “It includes reading, writing, arithmetic and bringing them up for a successful future.”

Omaha Sen. John Fredrickson supported Hunt’s amendment, saying the measure likely would require teachers to repeat lessons to accommodate students who missed class to attend RTRI.

<figure>
 <img src="https://media.eaglewebservices.com/public/2025/5/1748603513219.jpeg" alt="Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, chairperson of the Education committee" />
 <figcaption>Sen. Dave Murman of Glenvil, chairperson of the Education committee</figcaption>
 </figure>By Unicameral UpdateLINCOLN, Neb - An omnibus education proposal cleared the first round of debate May 27 after senators amended it to remove several elements of the package. The proposal was further amended on select file May 29 before advancing to final reading.<a href="http://nebraskalegislature.gov/bills/search_by_number.php?DocumentNumber=LB306&amp;Legislature=109th" target="_blank">LB306</a>&nbsp;was introduced by the&nbsp;<a href="http://news.legislature.ne.gov/edu" target="_blank">Education Committee</a>&nbsp;as a cleanup measure that would make several updates to laws related to postsecondary education in Nebraska.The bill would allow the Board of Trustees of the Nebraska State Colleges to enter into long-term leases, lease-purchase agreements or financing contracts with a third party to finance or refinance student housing or student activity facilities.Additionally, LB306 would raise the base amount for capital construction projects to $5 million, which includes new buildings, renovations and acquisitions funded by tax dollars, provided that the minimum capital expenditure is met.The base amount for capital expenditures related to operations and maintenance would be $200,000 within 10 years after substantial completion or acquisition. No tax funds could be used for increases beyond such amounts for facilities not classified as capital construction projects.The measure also would grant the Coordinating Commission for Postsecondary Education the authority to act as the primary body responsible for overseeing the transition of data collection, grants, programs and related responsibilities from the U.S. Department of Education to the governing boards and administrators of Nebraska’s postsecondary institutions, or to the commission itself.Additionally, LB306 would require the Board of Trustees of the Nebraska State Colleges to accept Classic Learning Test, or CLT, results in determining eligibility for the Nebraska Career Scholarship. This change would provide an alternative to the ACT currently used to determine eligibility.The measure also would clarify that individuals who have obtained a GED or a high school diploma equivalent are eligible for the Door to College Scholarship, which provides financial assistance for undergraduate students in Nebraska who graduated from a Youth Rehabilitation and Treatment Center high school or an approved public, private or parochial high school after being discharged.<a href="http://news.legislature.ne.gov/dist38" target="_blank">Sen. Dave Murman</a>&nbsp;of Glenvil, chairperson of the committee, said the proposed change would enable former YRTC students — who may have been out of school for long periods or attended multiple high schools and consequently earned a GED instead of a diploma — to apply for a scholarship.“If [students] showed initiative to get their GED, they ought to have the same opportunity for the scholarship,” he said.Committee amendmentAn Education Committee amendment was offered during general file debate May 21 to replace the bill and add provisions of several other proposals.Under the amended provisions of LB378, introduced by Omaha Sen. Bob Andersen, both public and private postsecondary institutions would be required to report biannually on any funding received from foreign adversarial entities, including contracts, gifts and grants. Tuition payments for students would be excluded.Postsecondary institutions also would be required to submit such reports to the Postsecondary Coordinating Commission, which would make the reports publicly available on its website.Also included are provisions of LB408, introduced by Lincoln Sen. George Dugan. The proposal would establish the Special Education Teacher Forgivable Loan Program Act, which seeks to assist individuals pursuing degrees in special education by offering forgivable loans to those who commit to teaching in Nebraska after obtaining their certification as a teacher with a special education endorsement.The committee amendment also includes amended provisions of Omaha Sen. Asheli Spivey’s LB440, which would adopt the Education Leave and Support Act and provide teachers facing family or medical challenges with three weeks of paid family and medical leave. Under the measure, a payroll fee of 0.35% would be applied to the taxable wages of certificated teachers in Nebraska beginning Jan. 1, 2026.School districts would match the contribution before remitting the fee quarterly to the state treasurer, who would direct the funds to a newly created State Education Leave Fund. The new fund would be administered by the state Department of Education and used solely to reimburse school districts for substitute teacher costs for the first six weeks of a covered employee’s family and medical leave.Spivey said her proposal would allow teachers to take FMLA leave without having to exhaust their sick leave or paid time off and, as a result, could prevent some teachers from having to leave the profession.“You cannot plan for a significant life event, and this bill will allow for teachers to take care of their health and also be able to maintain employment [so] they don’t have to choose,” she said.Also included are amended provisions of Central City Sen. Loren Lippincott’s LB550, which would permit school districts to implement a policy allowing students to attend off-site released time religious instruction — or RTRI — for at least one non-core curriculum class period per week.Under the proposal, parents, guardians or educational decisionmakers must provide written consent for a student to participate in RTRI. All RTRI would be required to occur off school property and school districts could not expend funds toward RTRI, except from minimal administrative costs.Finally, the amendment includes provisions of LB682, introduced by the Education Committee, which would restrict school superintendents from receiving income from other education-related employment, such as work with education foundations or consulting. The bill also would require superintendents to file an annual financial interest statement with the Nebraska Accountability and Disclosure Commission.During general file debate May 21, Omaha Sen. Megan Hunt filed an amendment to remove the provisions of LB550 from the committee amendment. RTRI organizations often use incentives like t-shirts and snacks to draw students to the program, she said, which could ostracize students who don’t participate in RTRI.“Parents can send their kids to whatever religious instruction they want to, but part of a public education in Nebraska does not include 120 minutes for church,” Hunt said. “It includes reading, writing, arithmetic and bringing them up for a successful future.”Omaha Sen. John Fredrickson supported Hunt’s amendment, saying the measure likely would require teachers to repeat lessons to accommodate students who missed class to attend RTRI.Sen. Tom Brandt of Plymouth also supported the amendment. He said allowing kids to leave school for RTRI could “cheapen” the value of the classes they miss to do so.Senators voted 25-9 to adopt Hunt’s amendment and remove the LB550 provisions from the committee amendment.Sen. Bob Hallstrom of Syracuse also brought an amendment, adopted 27-5, to remove from the committee amendment provisions that would allow CLT scores to determine scholarship eligibility. He said that unlike the ACT, the CLT is administered online and lacks the same level of security as in-person, proctored exams.Hastings Sen. Dan Lonowski offered an amendment to remove provisions of Spivey’s LB440 from the committee amendment, saying the measure could result in an unfunded mandate to schools. The Lonowski amendment failed 22-16.Senators then rejected the committee amendment on a 22-23 vote. Twenty-five votes were needed. A motion offered by Dungan to reconsider that vote also failed 19-2.Following the failure to adopt the committee amendment, LB306 was passed over on the agenda at Murman’s request.Other amendmentsWhen general file debate resumed May 27, Hallstrom again filed an amendment to remove the CLT provisions from LB306. Senators rejected the attempt on an 18-12 vote.Andersen then offered an amendment to attach the provisions of his LB378, which had been included in the committee amendment. He said the provisions would provide increased transparency.“What [LB378] does is reaffirm our responsibility to taxpayers, students and our state and national interests to ensure foreign adversarial influence is not quietly shaping our academic landscape,” Andersen said.Lincoln Sen. Danielle Conrad opposed Andersen’s amendment, calling the measure “redundant” due to existing federal law that already requires disclosure of foreign funding sources in higher education.Senators voted 27-4 to adopt Andersen’s amendment before voting 27-0 to adopt an amendment brought by Norfolk Sen. Robert Dover to add provisions of his LB625.As amended, the measure would require the Department of Administrative Services to create and maintain a public website outlining financial information about Nebraska school districts, including details on revenue sources and expenditures.Murman then offered a technical amendment to the bill, adopted 25-0, before introducing an amendment containing provisions of his LB497.Under that measure, students enrolled in a private, denominational, parochial or nonaccredited school could participate in extracurricular activities in the district closest to where the student’s parent resides that offers the activity that the home district does not. The measure also would clarify that a part-time student wishing to participate in extracurricular activities must be enrolled in at least five credit hours but is not limited to five credit hours.Senators adopted the Murman amendment 26-0. They rejected another Murman amendment on a 12-14 vote that would have added provisions of LB682, introduced by the committee and originally included in the committee amendment.Senators then voted 28-3 to advance LB306 to select file.Select fileDuring select file debate May 29, lawmakers discussed two amendments aimed at benefiting teachers and again considered an amendment to eliminate the CLT provisions from LB306.Spivey offered an amendment to add revised provisions of her LB440 and Lincoln Sen. George Dungan’s LB408, both of which were included in the committee amendment that was rejected during the first round of debate.Under Spivey’s amendment, school districts would be required to contribute 0.35% of the taxable wages paid to covered employees to the state treasurer quarterly, beginning Jan. 1, 2026.Spivey said the proposal no longer would require teachers to match the district’s 0.35% contribution and instead would provide only two weeks’ worth of substitute teacher costs, rather than the initially proposed six weeks.Elmwood Sen. Robert Clements opposed the amendment, saying such matters should be negotiated between schools and teachers, not decided by the Legislature.Also opposing the amendment was North Platte Sen. Mike Jacobson. He said the proposal would create a new “unfunded mandate” for school districts and, as a result, could raise property taxes.Conrad supported the amendment, saying it would provide benefits similar to those offered to other public sector workers, such as law enforcement, during a time when the state is facing a teacher shortage.“This isn’t just some sort of special benefit just for teachers,” Conrad said. “It’s part of modernizing an approach to ensure that we meet employees’ needs amid a crisis … so that they can stay in the workforce.”Senators voted 17-25 to reject Spivey’s amendment. Dungan then filed an amendment to consider his LB408 separately.By establishing a forgivable loan program for special education teachers, Dungan said, more individuals might choose to enter the teaching profession and stay in Nebraska.Murman supported Dungan’s amendment, saying it could encourage those considering pursuing teaching to focus on special education careers and “fill the gap” in that specialization.Clements opposed the amendment. He said the Education Future Fund — the measure’s proposed funding source — currently does not have the resources to sustain such a program.The Dungan amendment failed 20-23.Hallstrom then offered another attempt to remove the CLT provisions from LB306. The amendment also would clarify that SAT scores could be used to determine eligibility, along with ACT scores, which Hallstrom said are “better indicators of readiness” for college and more secure than the CLT.Murman opposed the amendment, saying the CLT is secure and utilizes webcam technology to track students’ surroundings and their movements while taking the exam.Additionally, he said, numerous colleges and universities have begun accepting CLT scores in addition to ACT and SAT scores, including Baylor, Florida State University and Pepperdine.“This is a growing trend, and Nebraska can either get on board with that trend by rejecting this amendment, or we can stay in the dust,” Murman said.Senators adopted Hallstrom’s amendment 25-14 before advancing LB306 to final reading by voice vote.