Ben Sasse

Ben Sasse
US Senate Photography · Public domain · source
Name	Ben Sasse
Birth date	March 22, 1972
Birth place	Plainview, Nebraska, U.S.
Occupation	Academic administrator, author, politician
Party	Republican Party
Education	University of Florida; St. John's College (Annapolis); Yale University; Harvard University; Princeton University

Ben Sasse

Benjamin Eric Sasse is an American academic administrator, author, and former politician who served as a United States Senator from Nebraska from 2015 to 2023. He previously represented Nebraska's 2nd congressional district in the U.S. House of Representatives and served as president of a private university. Sasse's career spans higher education administration, federal legislative service, and commentary on constitutionalism and civic life.

Early life and education

Sasse was born in Plainview, Nebraska, and raised in a rural environment near O'Neill, Nebraska. He attended St. John's College for liberal arts study, spent time at the University of Florida, and earned graduate degrees from Harvard University and Yale University. Sasse completed doctoral work at The University of Oxford-affiliated programs and held postdoctoral affiliations connected with Princeton University and the Brookings Institution. During his education he engaged with texts from the Federalist Papers, the writings of Alexis de Tocqueville, and scholarship connected to the Founding Fathers and constitutional theory.

Business and academic career

Before elected office, Sasse worked in the private sector at consulting and information firms linked to policy analysis and management, interacting with organizations such as McKinsey & Company and policy institutes like the American Enterprise Institute. He served as an administrator at a liberal arts university and later became president of a private research university, working with trustees from institutions such as Harvard University, Yale University, Princeton University, and Stanford University. In the academic realm he taught courses drawing on the works of Plato, Aristotle, John Locke, and Edmund Burke, and participated in programs with National Endowment for the Humanities-funded projects and collegiate associations like the Association of American Universities.

U.S. House and Senate political career

Sasse was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives representing Nebraska's 2nd congressional district and served on committees connected to House Committee on Homeland Security, House Committee on Educational and the Workforce, and others that interfaced with agencies including the Department of Homeland Security and the Department of Education. In 2014 he ran for the U.S. Senate seat vacated by Mike Johanns and won the Republican nomination in a contest involving figures such as Tommy Thompson-style governors and national politicians like Mitch McConnell and John Boehner-era allies. As a U.S. Senator, he served on committees including the Senate Armed Services Committee, the Senate Judiciary Committee, and the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions while engaging with colleagues like Lindsey Graham, Chuck Schumer, and Mitch McConnell.

Political positions and legislative record

Sasse's policy positions aligned with contemporary conservative organizations such as the Heritage Foundation and with intellectual currents associated with Federalist Society jurists. He supported tax reform initiatives tied to legislation like the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and voted on measures affecting the Affordable Care Act and bills connected to negotiation with leaders such as Paul Ryan and Kevin Brady. On national security he backed authority used by presidents including George W. Bush and Donald Trump while urging reforms debated by figures like John Bolton and James Mattis. Sasse advocated for immigration policies discussed alongside actors such as Jeff Sessions and negotiated border security frameworks involving DHS leadership and congressional negotiators like Chuck Grassley and Richard Shelby. He took positions on judicial nominations advanced by presidents Barack Obama, Donald Trump, and others, engaging directly with confirmations involving nominees from the Federalist Society pipeline as well as with opposition from groups linked to ACLU and NAACP Legal Defense Fund.

2014–2023 tenure and key votes

During his tenure Sasse cast high-profile votes on confirmation of federal judges including nominees to the United States Supreme Court and appellate courts associated with the D.C. Circuit and the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Eighth Circuit. He participated in Senate deliberations over responses to international crises involving countries such as Russia, China, Iran, and Syria and voted on sanctions legislation affecting the Department of State and the Treasury Department. Sasse was notable for his critiques of presidential conduct during the administration of Donald Trump while also supporting several administration priorities like the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act of 2017 and measures linked to the Department of Defense budget overseen by secretaries such as James Mattis and Mark Esper. He joined colleagues including Mitt Romney in moments of intra-party dissent and took part in the impeachment proceedings involving the presidency, interacting with figures like Nancy Pelosi, Adam Schiff, and Jerry Nadler.

Post-Senate career and public life

After leaving the Senate, Sasse returned to academic leadership and public commentary, engaging with institutions such as Harvard University, Yale University, Princeton University, Stanford University, and think tanks including the Hudson Institute and the Brookings Institution. He authored books and essays addressing themes raised by scholars like Leo Strauss and commentators such as George Will and David Brooks, and appeared on media outlets alongside hosts from Fox News, MSNBC, PBS NewsHour, and public radio like NPR. Sasse maintained involvement with civic organizations linked to The Aspen Institute and participates in lecture circuits at venues such as Carnegie Mellon University, Georgetown University, and University of Chicago.

Category:1972 births Category:People from Nebraska Category:United States senators from Nebraska Category:Members of the United States House of Representatives from Nebraska