Nebraska senator discusses US military actions amid global conflicts
LEADER. KETV NEWSWATCH SEVEN AT FIVE. AS FOREIGN CONFLICTS EXPAND, THE U.S. RAMPS UP ITS MILITARY PRESENCE ACROSS THE GLOBE. AND TONIGHT, WE’RE SEEING HOW IT COULD IMPACT NEBRASKA. WE HAVE TEAM COVERAGE. CHRISTOPHER SALAS HAS THE LATEST ON THE NUCLEAR NEGOTIATIONS WITH IRAN. BUT FIRST, WE START WITH KETV NEWSWATCH SEVEN’S MADISON PERALES, WHO BRINGS US AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH NEBRASKA SENATOR PETE RICKETTS. MADISON, JULIE, RIGHT NOW, THE WORLD IS CONFRONTED WITH SEVERAL CONFLICTS. U.S. SENATOR PETE RICKETTS GIVES INSIGHT INTO CAPITOL HILL’S ACTIONS, AND AN EXPERT EXPLORES U.S. NEGOTIATION OPTIONS IN THESE DELICATE MATTERS. IF WE STAY ON THE RIGHT SIDE OF THE LAW AND THE LEGAL FRAMEWORKS CONSTITUTIONAL AND INTERNATIONAL, WE’RE GOING TO HAVE MAXIMUM LEGITIMACY IN WHATEVER WE DO. A U.S. SENATOR PLANS TO INVOKE THE WAR POWERS ACT AGAINST IRAN AMID NUCLEAR TALKS. CREIGHTON FOREIGN CONFLICT EXPERT MICHAEL KELLEY SAYS THE ACT IS THERE TO DECIDE MILITARY ACTION. HAVE TO HAVE TWO PIECES OF PAPER TO GO TO WAR. A PERMISSION SLIP FROM CONGRESS AND A PERMISSION SLIP FROM THE SECURITY COUNCIL. IF IT’S GOING TO BE LEGAL. NEBRASKA U.S. SENATOR PETE RICKETTS, MEMBER OF THE U.S. FOREIGN RELATIONS COMMITTEE, SAYS HE WANTS THE PRESIDENT TO HAVE ACCESS TO ALL OPTIONS. I’M GOING TO BE VOTING AGAINST SENATOR KAINE’S WAR POWERS ACT. KELLEY HIGHLIGHTS. WHERE THERE’S TROOPS, FOOD FOLLOWS. AND WHAT DO WE HAVE HERE IN NEBRASKA? WE HAVE WHEAT, WE HAVE CORN, WE HAVE BEEF, HE ADDS. WE’RE SEEING IRAN OFFER OIL IN EXCHANGE FOR NO ATTACKS, A PRODUCT TRUMP IS TRYING TO CONTROL, AN EMERGING CONFLICT WITH OUR SOUTHERN NEIGHBOR, CUBA. IT’S AN EXAMPLE OF NOT USING A MILITARY OPTION, BUT USING OUR ECONOMIC STRENGTH. DOES HE WANT TO TOPPLE THE REGIME, OR DOES HE WANT TO DEAL? AND I SUSPECT THE LATTER. RICKETTS ALSO HITS ON UNITED STATES AID TO UKRAINE AS THE COUNTRY ENTERS ITS FOURTH YEAR IN THE WAR AGAINST RUSSIA. DO YOU THINK THAT’S BEEN SUFFICIENT ENOUGH, OR SHOULD WE DO MORE? WE NEED TO CONTINUE TO GIVE UKRAINE THE WEAPONS THEY NEED TO DEFEND THEMSELVES. I DON’T KNOW THAT PUTIN KNOWS HE’S LOSING THIS CONFLICT RIGHT NOW. AND UNTIL HE REALIZES HE’S LOSING, I’M NOT SURE WHAT KIND OF OPPORTUNITY WE HAVE FOR PEACE. SENATOR RICKETTS ALSO SPOKE WITH US ABOUT THE RISING AFGHANISTAN AND PAKISTAN CONFLICT, SAYING HE EXPECTS TRUMP TO ENTER PEACE TALKS, ADDING THE HEARTBEAT OF ENERGY STEMS FROM THE REGION AND THEY WANT TO PROTECT IT.
Updated: 9:35 PM CST Feb 27, 2026
Nebraska senator discusses US military actions amid global conflicts
Updated: 9:35 PM CST Feb 27, 2026
Nebraska Sen. Pete Ricketts is addressing U.S. military actions and foreign aid strategies as global conflicts continue to unfold. Ricketts, a member of the U.S. Foreign Relations Committee, expressed his intention to vote against Sen. Tim Kaine’s “War Powers Act,” emphasizing the need for the president to have access to all options. “If we stay on the right side of the law and the legal frameworks, constitutional and international, we’re going to have maximum legitimacy in whatever we do,” Creighton foreign conflict expert Michael Kelly said.”Have to have two pieces of paper to go to war,” he said. “A permission slip from Congress and a permission slip from the Security Council if it’s going to be legal.” He said where troops occupy land, food will follow.”And what do we have here in Nebraska? We have wheat, we have corn, we have beef,” Kelly said. Ricketts discussed Iran’s offer of oil in exchange for no attacks, highlighting the use of economic strategies in Cuba over military options. “It’s an example of not using a military option, but using our economic,” Ricketts said. “Does he want to topple the regime or does he want a deal? I suspect the latter,” Kelly said. Regarding U.S. aid to Ukraine, Ricketts emphasized the need for continued aid, stating, “We need to continue to give Ukraine the weapons they need to defend themselves.” He expressed uncertainty about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s awareness of the conflict’s status, saying, “I don’t know that Putin knows he’s losing this conflict right now. And until he realizes he’s losing, I’m not sure what kind of opportunity we have for peace.”Ricketts also spoke about the rising conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan, expecting President Donald Trump to enter peace talks. He noted the region’s significance in energy production and the importance of protecting it to prevent domestic impacts.Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | National | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
Nebraska Sen. Pete Ricketts is addressing U.S. military actions and foreign aid strategies as global conflicts continue to unfold.
Ricketts, a member of the U.S. Foreign Relations Committee, expressed his intention to vote against Sen. Tim Kaine’s “War Powers Act,” emphasizing the need for the president to have access to all options.
“If we stay on the right side of the law and the legal frameworks, constitutional and international, we’re going to have maximum legitimacy in whatever we do,” Creighton foreign conflict expert Michael Kelly said.
“Have to have two pieces of paper to go to war,” he said. “A permission slip from Congress and a permission slip from the Security Council if it’s going to be legal.”
He said where troops occupy land, food will follow.
“And what do we have here in Nebraska? We have wheat, we have corn, we have beef,” Kelly said.
Ricketts discussed Iran’s offer of oil in exchange for no attacks, highlighting the use of economic strategies in Cuba over military options.
“It’s an example of not using a military option, but using our economic,” Ricketts said.
“Does he want to topple the regime or does he want a deal? I suspect the latter,” Kelly said.
Regarding U.S. aid to Ukraine, Ricketts emphasized the need for continued aid, stating, “We need to continue to give Ukraine the weapons they need to defend themselves.”
He expressed uncertainty about Russian President Vladimir Putin’s awareness of the conflict’s status, saying, “I don’t know that Putin knows he’s losing this conflict right now. And until he realizes he’s losing, I’m not sure what kind of opportunity we have for peace.”
Ricketts also spoke about the rising conflict between Afghanistan and Pakistan, expecting President Donald Trump to enter peace talks.
He noted the region’s significance in energy production and the importance of protecting it to prevent domestic impacts.
Make sure you can always see the latest news, weather, sports and more from KETV NewsWatch 7 on Google search.
NAVIGATE: Home | Weather | Local News | | Sports | Newscasts on demand |
