Former Nebraska Congressman Brad Ashford honored at VA clinic he helped build

Late Congressman Brad Ashford was honored today.
Published: Jan. 30, 2025 at 6:22 PM CST
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OMAHA, Neb. (WOWT) - Former and the late congressman Brad Ashford was honored Thursday.

Ashford was recognized for his work with veterans including the passing of the CHIP IN for Vets Act which he helped pass in 2016.

It was responsible for the construction of the much needed VA Ambulatory Care Clinic in Omaha.

A conference room at the clinic was named in honor of Ashford. Nebraska congressman Don Bacon was joined by Iowa representative Mariannette Miller-Meeks and Ashford’s widow Ann Ashford at the dedication.

Congressman Bacon described Ashford as a champion for the VA. He said after the two fought each other in their 2016 campaign, Republican leaders wanted to wait until Bacon was sworn in to pass the CHIP act.

But Bacon refused and Ashford was given the credit he deserved. First Alert 6 asked the congressman about working with Ashford at the time. He said he would not have felt right passing the act without Ashford.

Before his passing, Ashford was toured the clinic he worked hard to see completed.

“You can see the pride in his face, I mean this is one of his legacies and you can see the love just come out of him,” said Bacon. “I remember walking with him and you can see the pride. This was his number one priority, and he got it done.”

Bacon says he is working with rep. Miller-Meeks to put and extension to the CHIP Act as it will expire soon. Bacon says making the bill permanent will help with future projects at the VA.