Jeff Fortenberry

Incumbent Republican U.S. Congressman Doug Bereuter of Nebraska's 1st congressional district decided to retire. Fortenberry decided to run and won the 7-candidate Republican primary with 39% of the vote. He defeated Curt Bromm (33%), the Speaker of the Nebraska Legislature, and Club for Growth-endorsed businessman Greg Ruehle (21%).[7][8] In the general election, he defeated State Senator Matt Connealy 54%–43%. He won all but two counties: Thurston and Burt.[9][10]

Fortenberry won re-election to a second term, defeating former Lieutenant Governor Maxine Moul, 58%–42%, winning all but Burt County.[11][12]

He won re-election to a third term, defeating Marine veteran Max Yashirin 70–30%.[13]

He was challenged in the Republican primary for the first time since 2004. He drew two opponents and won with 84% of the vote.[14] He won re-election to a fourth term, defeating legislative staffer Ivy Harper, 71%–29%.[15]

He drew two opponents in the Republican primary again, but won with 86% of the vote.[16]

He won re-election to a sixth term, defeating attorney and Democrat Dennis Crawford.[17]

He won re-election to a seventh term, defeating doctor and Democrat Dan Wik.[18]

Campaigning for an eighth term in October 2018, it was reported that Fortenberry's chief of staff threatened a professor at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln, Ari Kohen, who had liked a Facebook post depicting a photo of a vandalised Fortenberry campaign sign, raising the issue to Kohen's supervisor as well as the dean and chancellor of the university. In reaction, Kohen raised a complaint with the Office of Congressional Ethics, alleging a chilling effect to free speech.[19][20]

Fortenberry defeated Democrat Jessica McClure with 60% of the vote.[21]

Fortenberry defeated Democrat Kate Bolz with 60% of the vote.[22]

Agriculture, energy, and environment

Fortenberry introduced the Renewable Fuels for America’s Future Act of 2010. The act was described by the Lincoln Journal Star editorial board as "a smart and thoughtful way to reduce subsidies for the production of ethanol."[23] The act would result in taxpayer savings of $5.67 billion, according to economists Ernie Goss of Creighton University and Bruce Babcock of Iowa State University.[24]

Healthcare

Fortenberry voted against the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, but said in 2010 that he supported "the right type of (health care) reform" incorporating measures to reduce costs, improve outcomes and protect vulnerable people.[25] He introduced H.R. 321, the SCHIP Plus Act of 2009 to offer eligible families the choice of retaining coverage for their children in the State Children's Health Insurance Program or using SCHIP funds to help pay for a family insurance plan, saving both family and taxpayer dollars.[26]

Foreign affairs

In an October 2010 endorsement, the Lincoln Journal Star described Fortenberry as "uncommonly well-informed on international issues".[27]

Abortion

Fortenberry received a 100% pro-life score from the National Right to Life Committee in a ranking of members of the 111th Congress (2009–2011).[28] He speaks annually at the March for Life.[29][30]

Texas v. Pennsylvania

In December 2020, Fortenberry was one of 126 Republican members of the House of Representatives who signed an amicus brief in support of Texas v. Pennsylvania, a lawsuit filed at the United States Supreme Court contesting the results of the 2020 presidential election, in which Joe Biden prevailed[31] over incumbent Donald Trump. The Supreme Court declined to hear the case on the basis that Texas lacked standing under Article III of the Constitution to challenge the results of the election held by another state.[32][33][34]

House Speaker Nancy Pelosi issued a statement that called signing the amicus brief an act of "election subversion." Additionally, Pelosi reprimanded Fortenberry and the other House members who supported the lawsuit: "The 126 Republican Members that signed onto this lawsuit brought dishonor to the House. Instead of upholding their oath to support and defend the Constitution, they chose to subvert the Constitution and undermine public trust in our sacred democratic institutions."[35][36] New Jersey Representative Bill Pascrell, citing section three of the 14th Amendment, called for Pelosi to not seat Fortenberry and the other Republicans who signed the brief supporting the suit. Pascrell argued that "the text of the 14th Amendment expressly forbids Members of Congress from engaging in rebellion against the United States. Trying to overturn a democratic election and install a dictator seems like a pretty clear example of that."[37] Fortenberry was listed by Foreign Policy magazine in 2010 as a "new Republican powerbroker" on nuclear security issues.[38]

• United States House Committee on Appropriations
  • United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies (Ranking Member)
  • United States House Appropriations Subcommittee on State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs

• Republican Main Street Partnership.
• Tuesday Group[41]
• Nuclear Security Working Group (Co-Chair)
• Congressional Caucus on Beef
• Religious Minorities in the Middle East Caucus
• Friends of Switzerland Caucus.
• Congressional Friends of Jordan Caucus (Vice Chair)
• Congressional Catholic Staff Association(Chair)
• United States Congressional International Conservation Caucus. (Co-Chair)[42]