Not even the death of a Nebraska servicemember blunted Pete Ricketts’s support for the disastrous war in Iran. Time and again, Ricketts voted to continue the war, even as it claimed the life of Nebraska Sergeant Noah Tietjens, jacked up gas prices across Nebraska, and pushed farmers to their breaking point with increased diesel and fertilizer costs. Despite it all, Pete Ricketts, knowing the Iran War was causing this carnage, supports continuing it.
March 2026: Ricketts Painted An Iran War Powers Resolution As “Trying To Limit The President’s Ability To Protect Us.” According to 1011 Now, “Senate Republicans voted down a resolution on Wednesday evening that would have limited President Trump’s ability to continue the conflict in Iran without congressional approval. Ricketts previously told the media he would be voting against the war powers resolution, adding, ‘[Sen. Tim Kaine] is trying to limit the president’s ability to protect us.’” [1011 Now, 3/4/26]
Ricketts Sidestepped A Question About Boots On The Ground In Iran. According to 1011 Now, “10/11 asked Sen. Ricketts if he would support boots-on-the-ground action, which neither President Donald Trump nor Secretary of War Pete Hegseth has taken off the table. Ricketts responded that it’s a hypothetical question the president won’t clarify because he doesn’t want to broadcast to America’s enemies what the nation would or wouldn’t do.” [1011 Now, 3/4/26]
August 2026: Ricketts Affirmed His Support For The War In Iran At A Campaign Stop In Kearney. According to Nebraska TV, “Sen. Pete Ricketts brought his Congressional campaign to downtown Kearney on Tuesday, using the Central Nebraska stop to promote his positions on issues including E-15 and the war in Iran while taking aim at independent challenger Dan Osborn. […] During his speech, Ricketts said he supports the war in Iran, blamed Democrats for stalling passage of a farm bill and voiced approval for strongly securing national borders. The event also included a question-and-answer session.” [Nebraska TV, 8/11/26]
Ricketts Advocated For “Continuing To Do Military Strikes” On Iran. According to Nebraska Public Media, “Ricketts, Flood and Smith sympathized with Nebraskans who are paying more at gas pumps, but they all defended U.S. attacks in the region, arguing that the country must not gain access to a nuclear weapon. ‘What we need to continue to do is keep the pressure on Iran, blocking the ports, the sanctions, and continuing to do military strikes,’ Ricketts said. ‘We need to … get to the point where we can get a diplomatic solution on this.’” [Nebraska Public Media, 8/12/26]
[VIDEO] Ricketts Argued In Favor Of Continued Pressure On Iran While Acknowledging The Negative Impact On Nebraska Families. “There's no doubt that the conflict in Iran has put a lot of pressure on Nebraska families. First of all, those folks who have loved ones overseas, they're in harm's way in the tragic loss of Sergeant Tietjens here in Nebraska. A country that chants Death to America cannot be allowed to have a nuclear weapon. That would put our kids at risk. It would put our allies at risk. We must make sure that Iran never gets that nuclear weapon. So we have to continue to put pressure on them. That means sanctions. That means blockading their ports. That means finding other ways to get oil out of the Strait of Hormuz. And there's a golden said that traffic is coming up maybe as much as two thirds of was before. We need to unleash American energy to bring gas prices down because that's putting pressure on Nebraska families as well.” [Nebraska State Fair Debate, 9/1/26]
July 2026: Ricketts Effectively Voted Against Withdrawing US Troops From Iran. In July 2026, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, “motion to discharge the Iran war powers joint resolution from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee.” The vote was on the motion to discharge. The Senate rejected the motion by a vote of 49 to 50. [Senate Vote 216, 7/30/26; Congressional Quarterly, 7/30/26; Congressional Actions, S.J.Res.181]
July 2026: Ricketts Effectively Voted Against Withdrawing US Troops From Iran. In July 2026, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, “motion to discharge the Foreign Relations Committee from further consideration of the joint resolution that would direct the president to withdraw U.S. armed forces hostilities against Iran not authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for military force.” The vote was on the motion to discharge. The Senate rejected the motion by a vote of 47 to 49. [Senate Vote 207, 7/23/26; Congressional Quarterly, 7/23/26; Congressional Actions, S.J.Res.180]
June 2026: Ricketts Effectively Voted Against Withdrawing US Troops From Iran. In June 2026, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, “motion to proceed to the joint resolution that would direct the president to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.” The vote was on adoption of the resolution. The Senate adopted the resolution by a vote of 47 to 50. [Senate Vote 192, 6/24/26; Congressional Quarterly, 6/24/26; Congressional Actions, S.J.Res.185]
June 2026: Ricketts Voted Against Withdrawing US Troops From Iran. In June 2026, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, “Adoption of a resolution that would direct the president to remove U.S. Armed Forces from hostilities with Iran unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or a specific congressional authorization for use of military force.” The vote was on adoption of the resolution. The Senate adopted the resolution by a vote of 50 to 48. [Senate Vote 184, 6/23/26; Congressional Quarterly, 6/23/26; Congressional Actions, H.Con.Res.86]
June 2026: Ricketts Effectively Voted Against Withdrawing US Troops From Iran. In June 2026, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, the “motion to discharge from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee the joint resolution that would direct the president to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities within or against Iran, unless explicitly authorized by a war declaration or authorization for the use of military force from Congress.” The vote was on the motion to discharge. The Senate rejected the motion by a vote of 47 to 48. [Senate Vote 174, 6/16/26; Congressional Quarterly, 6/16/26; Congressional Actions, S.J.Res.185]
May 2026: Ricketts Effectively Voted Against Withdrawing US Troops From Iran. In April 2026, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, the “motion to discharge the Foreign Relations Committee from further consideration of the joint resolution that would direct the president to withdraw U.S. armed forces from hostilities against Iran not authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for military force.” The vote was on the motion to discharge. The Senate agreed to the motion by a vote of 50 to 47. [Senate Vote 129, 5/19/26; Congressional Quarterly, 5/19/26; Congressional Actions, S.J.Res.185]
May 2026: Ricketts Was Absent During A Procedural Vote On Withdrawing US Troops From Iran. In April 2026, Ricketts missed a vote on, according to Congressional Quarterly, the “motion to discharge from the Foreign Relations Committee the joint resolution that would direct the president to withdraw U.S. armed forces from hostilities against Iran not authorized by a declaration of war or specific authorization for military force.” The vote was on the motion to discharge. The Senate rejected the motion by a vote of 49 to 50. [Senate Vote 118, 5/13/26; Congressional Quarterly, 5/13/26; Congressional Actions, S.J.Res.163]
April 2026: Ricketts Effectively Voted Against Withdrawing US Troops From Iran. In April 2026, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, the “motion to discharge the joint resolution from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The joint resolution would direct the president to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities within or against Iran, unless explicitly authorized by a war declaration or authorization for the use of military force from Congress.” The vote was on the motion to discharge. The Senate rejected the motion by a vote of 47 to 50. [Senate Vote 113, 4/30/26; Congressional Quarterly, 4/30/26; Congressional Actions, S.J.Res.184]
April 2026: Ricketts Effectively Voted Against Withdrawing US Troops From Iran. In April 2026, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, the “motion to discharge the joint resolution from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The joint resolution would direct the president to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities within or against Iran, unless explicitly authorized by a war declaration or authorization for the use of military force from Congress.” The vote was on the motion to discharge. The Senate rejected the motion by a vote of 46 to 51. [Senate Vote 88, 4/22/26; Congressional Quarterly, 4/22/26; Congressional Actions, S.J.Res.114]
April 2026: Ricketts Effectively Voted Against Withdrawing US Troops From Iran. In April 2026, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, the “motion to discharge the joint resolution from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The joint resolution would direct the president to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities within or against Iran, unless explicitly authorized by a war declaration or authorization for the use of military force from Congress.” The vote was on the motion to discharge. The Senate rejected the motion by a vote of 47 to 52. [Senate Vote 79, 4/15/26; Congressional Quarterly, 4/15/26; Congressional Actions, S.J.Res.123]
March 2026: Ricketts Effectively Voted Against Withdrawing US Troops From Iran. In March 2026, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, the “motion to discharge from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee the joint resolution that would direct the president to remove U.S. armed forces from hostilities within or against Iran, unless explicitly authorized by a war declaration or a congressional authorization for the use of military force.” The vote was on the motion to discharge. The Senate rejected the motion by a vote of 47 to 53. [Senate Vote 69, 3/24/26; Congressional Quarterly, 3/24/26; Congressional Actions, S.J.Res.116]
March 2026: Ricketts Effectively Voted Against Withdrawing US Troops From Iran. In March 2026, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, the “motion to discharge from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee the joint resolution that would direct the president to terminate the use of U.S. armed forces from hostilities against Iran, unless explicitly authorized by a war declaration or a specific use of military force authorization. It would clarify that nothing in the measure could be construed to prevent the U.S. from directly defending against attacks by Iran or providing assistance to countries attacked by Iran since Feb. 28.” The vote was on the motion to discharge. The Senate rejected the motion by a vote of 47 to 53. [Senate Vote 58, 3/18/26; Congressional Quarterly, 3/18/26; Congressional Actions, S.J.Res.118]
March 2026: Ricketts Effectively Voted Against Withdrawing US Troops From Iran. In March 2026, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, the “motion to discharge the Iran war powers resolution from the Senate Foreign Relations Committee. The joint resolution would direct the president to remove U.S. forces from hostilities within or against Iran, unless explicitly authorized by a declaration of war or a specific authorization for use of military force.” The vote was on the motion to discharge. The Senate rejected the motion by a vote of 47 to 53. [Senate Vote 46, 3/4/26; Congressional Quarterly, 3/4/26; Congressional Actions, S.J.Res.104]
2025: Ricketts Effectively Voted Against Terminating Hostilities In Iran Without Congressional Authorization. In June 2025, Ricketts voted against, according to Congressional Quarterly, “motion to discharge the Senate Foreign Relations Committee from further consideration of the joint resolution directing the removal of U.S. armed forces from hostilities against Iran that have not been authorized by Congress.” The vote was on the motion to discharge from committee. The Senate rejected the motion by a vote of 47 to 53. [Senate Vote 328, 6/27/25; Congressional Quarterly, 6/27/25; Congressional Actions, S.J.Res.59]
Ricketts Mourned The Loss Of Sergeant Noah Tietjens, A Soldier From Nebraska Killed In The Iran Conflict. According to 1011 Now, “During his weekly press call on Wednesday afternoon, Nebraska’s junior senator discussed the ongoing conflict in Iran. Sen. Pete Ricketts began by addressing the tragic news that one of Nebraska’s own had been killed. Sgt. 1st Class Noah Tietjens, 42, of Bellevue, was among the six Americans killed after an Iranian missile struck a military operations center in Port Shuaiba, Kuwait, over the weekend. ‘Noah is a hero and a patriot,’ Ricketts said. ‘He, from an early age, volunteered to be able to protect our country and gave his life protecting us. We should honor and remember his courage and commitment.’” [1011 Now, 3/4/26]
Nebraskans Were Paying An Additional $150 A Month On Gas Due To The Iran War. According to KTIV, “After a surge in gas prices caused by the U.S.-Israel war with Iran, an economics professor with the University of Nebraska-Omaha said it’s costing Nebraskans as much as an extra $150 to their monthly expenses. 10/11 spoke with Dr. Jane Liu on Thursday who said overall, gas prices have risen more than 40% compared to the start of this year.” [KTIV, 6/4/26]
Ricketts Blamed Higher Gas Prices On “What’s Going On In Iran.” According to the Washington County Enterprise, “Sen. Pete Ricketts: Well, I think the big thing I hear from people is about the cost of living. So it's not necessarily a Washington County thing, but, you know, since I'm a federal official, that's what generally people have been talking to me about. Obviously under Biden, we saw a record high inflation. Gas prices came down, but now they're back up again because of what's going on in Iran. And so people want us to look to see, what are you gonna do to help? And that's why we do things like pass the Working Families Tax Cut last year.” [Washington County Enterprise, 8/7/26]
[AUDIO] Ricketts Conceded That Nebraska Families Were “Paying Higher Prices” At The Pump Due To The Iran War. “Certainly the conflict in the Middle East puts a lot of pressure on our families, the military families who have loved ones overseas. And every Nebraska family goes to the pump, is paying higher prices. We can't let a country that chants death to America and has killed tens of thousands of their own people, have a nuclear weapon because they would kill 100,000 or more of ours in a heartbeat. And we need to continue to keep the pressure on Iran. You know, the Islamic Republican Guard Corps are the ones who are driving this. We got a blockade reports got to continue to strike militarily. We're getting about 8 million barrels of oil out through the Strait of Hormuz. And we've got to find other ways to get more oil out and negate what Iran is doing. And then, of course, we've got home grown solutions here, like our biofuels. Last time I filled up that I.V., I say 55 to $0.55 a gallon using E10. And so the more we can do that, we kind of mitigate our dependence on what happens in foreign markets.” [Nebraska's Morning News, 8/13/26]
Ricketts Supported Continuing The War Despite High Gas Prices For Nebraskans. According to KSNB, “Ricketts said the conflict in Iran is placing financial pressure on Nebraska families through rising gas prices, but said he believes the war is necessary. ‘We know that the conflict in Iran does put pressure on families here because of the rising gas prices,’ Ricketts said. ‘That’s why, again, we just can’t let Iran have a nuclear weapon, because they’ve killed tens of thousands of their own people. They are trying to kill us and destroy our country.’” [KSNB, 8/15/26]
Nebraska Farmers Were Paying A Dollar More Per Gallon Of Diesel Year-Over-Year After The Start Of The Iran War. According to 1011 Now, “The price of gas is up more than 30 cents from just a couple of weeks ago, and those prices are magnified for Nebraska farmers, who are paying, on average, $1 more for diesel than this time last year. On top of that, fertilizer prices have gone up more than 30% since the end of February, when the war in Iran began. The Middle East accounts for nearly half of all urea exports — the most widely used solid nitrogen fertilizer worldwide. And around half of that nitrogen is applied to corn in the spring. It’s got farmers concerned not just about their bottom line, but about the food supply chain.” [1011 Now, 3/10/26]
At The Start Of The War, Nebraska Fertilizer Prices Spiked 30 Percent, With One Farmer Noting Fertilizer Had Gone Up By $1,000 A Ton. According to 1011 Now, “On top of that, fertilizer prices have gone up more than 30% since the end of February, when the war in Iran began. The Middle East accounts for nearly half of all urea exports — the most widely used solid nitrogen fertilizer worldwide. And around half of that nitrogen is applied to corn in the spring. It’s got farmers concerned not just about their bottom line, but about the food supply chain. […] Henderson-area farmer Jason Lewis said the spiking cost of diesel and unknowns on fertilizer are crunching Nebraska farmers right as they’re preparing to plant. Lewis said fertilizer prices in his area jumped from around $800 a ton to $1,000, if not more.” [1011 Now, 3/10/26]
Nebraska Farmers Union President John Hansen Said He Had Spoken With Farmers Who Felt There Was No Way Out. According to Nebraska Public Media, “Nebraska Farmers Union President John Hansen said the conflict is landing on a Nebraska farm economy that has already seen producers lose money for multiple consecutive years. […] Hansen said he has been receiving calls from experienced operators who see no way out. ‘When I'm getting phone calls from guys in their 40s, 50s, 60s that are really solid operators doing a really good job, and they're saying, “I'm losing $100 to $150 an acre” — that's not working,’ Hansen said.” [Nebraska Public Media, 3/12/26]
Nebraska Soybean Association Chairman Bartek Felt Like Farmers Were “Painted In The Corner.” According to PBS, “The high cost of fuel, equipment, and fertilizer — compounded by the Iran war — and also tariffs, perceived "price gouging" by suppliers, and low soybean prices driven by a global supply glut. All of it weighs on Bartek, who is chairman of the Nebraska Soybean Association. ‘Our biggest struggles are our inputs, be it fertilizer, seed, chemical, parts,’ Bartek said. ‘There has been so much drastic markup in all of these. And I just kind of feel like the farmer's kind of painted in the corner.’” [PBS, 4/13/26]