February 22, 1972: Birth of Ben Sasse
On February 22, 1972, Ben Sasse was born in Plainview, Nebraska.
1990: Ben Sasse Graduates High School
Ben Sasse graduated as valedictorian from Fremont Senior High School in 1990.
1992: Ben Sasse Studies at Oxford University
During the fall of 1992, Ben Sasse participated in a junior year abroad program at the University of Oxford.
September 1994: Ben Sasse Starts at Boston Consulting Group
Ben Sasse's career began in September 1994 as an associate consultant at the Boston Consulting Group, a management consulting firm.
1994: Ben Sasse Earns Bachelor's Degree from Harvard
Ben Sasse graduated from Harvard College in 1994 with a bachelor's degree in government.
November 1995: Ben Sasse Concludes Work at Boston Consulting Group
In November 1995, Ben Sasse finished his role as an associate consultant at the Boston Consulting Group.
1998: Ben Sasse Receives Master's Degree from St. John's College
Ben Sasse earned a Master of Arts in liberal studies from the Graduate Institute at St. John's College in 1998.
2000: Ben Sasse Selected as a Harvey Fellow
The Mustard Seed Foundation chose Ben Sasse for the Harvey Fellow program in 2000.
2004: Ben Sasse Completes PhD at Yale University
In 2004, Ben Sasse obtained his PhD in history from Yale University, with his dissertation supervised by Jon Butler and Harry Stout.
January 2005: Ben Sasse Leaves Justice Department
In January 2005, Ben Sasse left his position at the Department of Justice.
July 2005: Ben Sasse Concludes Role as Chief of Staff for Rep. Fortenberry
Ben Sasse finished his tenure as chief of staff to Representative Jeff Fortenberry in July 2005.
September 2005: Ben Sasse Begins Roles at Homeland Security and UT Austin
Ben Sasse commenced his work as an advisor on national security issues at the U.S. Department of Homeland Security and returned to his professorship at the University of Texas at Austin in September 2005.
December 2006: Ben Sasse Starts as Counselor at the Department of Health and Human Services
Ben Sasse took on the position of counselor to the secretary at the United States Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) in Washington, D.C., beginning in December 2006.
December 2006: Ben Sasse Concludes Professorship at UT Austin
In December 2006, Ben Sasse ended his professorship at the University of Texas at Austin.
July 2007: President Bush Nominates Ben Sasse as Assistant Secretary
In July 2007, President George W. Bush nominated Ben Sasse for the position of assistant secretary for planning and evaluation in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.
December 2007: Senate Confirms Ben Sasse as Assistant Secretary
The Senate confirmed Ben Sasse's appointment as assistant secretary for planning and evaluation in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in December 2007.
December 2007: Ben Sasse Concludes Role as Counselor at the Department of Health and Human Services
Ben Sasse finished his service as counselor to the secretary at the United States Department of Health and Human Services in December 2007.
2007: Mike Johanns Sets Nebraska Fundraising Record
In 2007, Mike Johanns achieved a Nebraska fundraising record while serving as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture.
January 2009: Ben Sasse Concludes Role as Assistant Secretary
Ben Sasse concluded his service as assistant secretary for planning and evaluation in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in January 2009, at the end of the Bush administration.
October 2009: Ben Sasse Joins Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs
Ben Sasse officially became a fellow at the Lyndon B. Johnson School of Public Affairs Center for Politics and Governance in October 2009.
October 2009: Ben Sasse Announced as President of Midland Lutheran College
The appointment of Ben Sasse as the 15th president of Midland Lutheran College (now Midland University) was announced in October 2009.
2009: Health-Care Reform: The Rush to Pass a Bad Bill
In 2009, Ben Sasse authored a column in Bloomberg Businessweek titled "Health-Care Reform: The Rush to Pass a Bad Bill", which was later cited in opposition to his political campaigns.
December 10, 2010: Ben Sasse Officially Installed as President of Midland University
The official installation ceremony for Ben Sasse as president of Midland University occurred on December 10, 2010.
2010: Sasse's Comments on Affordable Care Act
During a 2010 speech, Sasse made comments about the political landscape surrounding the Affordable Care Act, stating that Republicans likely lacked the votes to repeal it and that "a middle-class entitlement has never been repealed." These comments were later publicized and used against him in his political campaigns.
2010: Ben Sasse Takes Leadership of Midland Lutheran College
In the spring of 2010, Ben Sasse assumed leadership of Midland Lutheran College, marking a significant moment in his career in higher education.
2010: Ben Sasse Becomes President of Midland University
Ben Sasse was appointed the 15th president of Midland University in Fremont, Nebraska in 2010.
October 2013: Ben Sasse Announces Senate Candidacy
Ben Sasse announced his candidacy for the Senate seat held by Republican Mike Johanns in October 2013.
October 2013: Ben Sasse's Employment Contract at Midland University Amended
Ben Sasse's employment contract at Midland University underwent amendments to reduce his pay in October 2013.
May 13, 2014: Sasse Wins Republican Nomination for U.S. Senate
On May 13, 2014, Ben Sasse won the Republican nomination for the U.S. Senate in Nebraska, defeating banker Sid Dinsdale and former state Treasurer Shane Osborn.
November 4, 2014: Sasse Elected to U.S. Senate
On November 4, 2014, Sasse won the general election for the U.S. Senate in Nebraska, defeating Democratic nominee David Domina.
2014: Ben Sasse Elected to the U.S. Senate
Ben Sasse was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2014, defeating Democratic nominee David Domina.
2014: Sasse Receives "AQ" Rating and Endorsement from NRA in Senate Campaign
During his 2014 Senate campaign, Sasse received an "AQ" rating, the highest possible for a candidate with no voting record on gun issues, from the NRA Political Victory Fund, along with their endorsement.
December 31, 2014: Ben Sasse Steps Down as President of Midland University
Ben Sasse officially stepped down from his role as president of Midland University on December 31, 2014.
January 6, 2015: Sasse Sworn in as U.S. Senator
Sasse was sworn in as a member of the U.S. Senate on January 6, 2015.
2015: Ben Sasse Becomes U.S. Senator
In 2015, Ben Sasse began his tenure as a United States Senator for Nebraska.
2016: Sasse Votes Against Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act
In 2016, Sasse was the sole senator to oppose the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act, a bill aimed at tackling heroin and opioid abuse. He questioned the federal government's role in drug treatment, despite expressing concern about the opioid crisis.
2016: Sasse Refuses to Support Trump as Republican Nominee
In early 2016, Sasse became the first sitting senator to publicly announce that he would not support Donald Trump if Trump became the Republican Party's nominee for president.
September 2017: Sasse Considers Leaving GOP, Criticizes Trump's Policies
In September 2017, Sasse expressed his dissatisfaction with the GOP, considering leaving the party. He identified as an "independent conservative" and openly criticized Trump's policies, such as tariffs on steel and aluminum imports and the trade war with China, calling them "dumb" and "nuts" respectively.
2017: Sasse Proposes Immediate Repeal of Affordable Care Act
A staunch opponent of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), Sasse campaigned in 2014 on its repeal. In 2017, he continued his efforts by proposing an immediate repeal with a one-year delay for implementation, urging the Senate to forego recess to work on a replacement plan.
2017: The Vanishing American Adult Publication
In 2017, Ben Sasse authored and published "The Vanishing American Adult," a book exploring the challenges and societal shifts impacting young adults in America.
March 2018: Sasse Condemns Trump's Congratulatory Message to Putin
In March 2018, Sasse publicly criticized Trump for congratulating Putin on his election victory, deeming it inappropriate. He argued that Putin's re-election was neither free nor fair, and that the White House's refusal to address this directly weakened the US's position.
July 2018: Sasse Launches Political Group Amidst Speculation of Presidential Bid
In July 2018, Sasse started a new political non-profit group, leading to speculations about a potential presidential bid. Despite his criticisms of Trump, reports also surfaced about their frequent communication.
December 18, 2018: Sasse Votes Against FIRST STEP Act
On December 18, 2018, Sasse voted against the FIRST STEP Act, a bipartisan criminal justice reform bill.
2018: Them: Why We Hate Each Other - and How to Heal Publication
Ben Sasse wrote "Them: Why We Hate Each Other - and How to Heal" in 2018, delving into the increasing polarization and division within society and proposing potential solutions.
2018: Nebraska State Senator Bob Krist Switches Parties
Nebraska State Senator Bob Krist, who had criticized Sasse's refusal to support Trump, switched his party registration to Democrat in 2018 and ran as the Democratic candidate in the state's gubernatorial election.
January 2019: Sasse Votes Against Lifting Sanctions on Russian Companies
In January 2019, Sasse voted against Trump's decision to lift sanctions on three Russian companies, further demonstrating his independent stance within the Republican party.
February 2019: Sasse Votes Against Border Wall Funding
In February 2019, Sasse was one of 16 senators to vote against legislation that would have prevented a partial government shutdown and provided $1.375 billion for barriers along the U.S.–Mexico border.
March 2019: Sasse Cosponsors Resolution for Constitutional Amendment Limiting Supreme Court Justices
In March 2019, Sasse cosponsored a resolution that, if passed, would have imposed a constitutional amendment limiting the Supreme Court to nine justices.
2019: Sasse Receives Political Ratings
In 2019, the American Conservative Union's Center for Legislative Accountability gave Sasse a lifetime rating of 94%, while Americans for Democratic Action gave him a score of 5%.
2019: Sasse Introduces Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
Sasse introduced the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act in 2019, a bill aiming to provide legal protections to infants born alive after an attempted abortion.
February 5, 2020: Sasse Votes to Acquit Trump in First Impeachment Trial
On February 5, 2020, Sasse voted to acquit President Donald Trump on both articles of impeachment during Trump's first impeachment trial.
August 2020: Sasse Criticizes Trump's Executive Order on Stimulus Package
Sasse's criticism of Trump's executive order for a stimulus package in August 2020, calling it "unconstitutional slop," further escalated tensions between them. Trump retaliated by labeling Sasse a RINO (Republican In Name Only) and accusing him of going rogue.
October 2020: Sasse Publicly Criticizes Trump at Campaign Event
In October 2020, during a campaign event, Sasse publicly criticized Trump's behavior and policies. He accused Trump of mocking evangelicals, using the presidency for personal gain, aligning with white supremacists, mistreating women, and alienating voters with his online behavior.
December 2020: Sasse Condemns Trump's Pardons
Sasse condemned Trump's December 2020 pardons of individuals connected to him, deeming the act as fundamentally wrong.
2020: Sasse Re-elected to U.S. Senate
Sasse was re-elected to the U.S. Senate in 2020, defeating Democrats Chris Janicek and Preston Love Jr.
2020: Sasse Criticizes China in Commencement Speech
While delivering a commencement speech at his high school alma mater in 2020, Sasse criticized China's handling of the COVID-19 pandemic, drawing criticism from his political opponents.
2020: Sasse Votes to Certify Electoral Votes
Sasse voted to certify both Arizona's and Pennsylvania's electoral votes in the 2020 presidential election.
2020: Sasse Acknowledges Biden's Victory, Condemns Efforts to Overturn Election
Sasse broke ranks with many Republicans by accepting Joe Biden's 2020 presidential win and criticizing attempts to overturn the results. He was the first Republican Senator to oppose Hawley's challenge to the electoral vote count, arguing it would disenfranchise voters and threaten self-governance.
2020: Ben Sasse Re-elected to the U.S. Senate
Ben Sasse was re-elected for a second term in the U.S. Senate in 2020.
January 6, 2021: Sasse Condemns Capitol Attack
Sasse condemned the January 6, 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol by supporters of President Donald Trump, holding Trump responsible for the events.
February 13, 2021: Ben Sasse Votes to Convict Donald Trump
On February 13, 2021, Ben Sasse was one of seven Republican senators to vote to convict Donald Trump of incitement of insurrection in his second impeachment trial.
February 2021: Sasse Censured by Local Republican Party, Defends Stance on Trump
Sasse faced backlash for his stance on Trump in February 2021. The Lincoln County Republican Party censured him for his impeachment-related comments, and while the Nebraska Republican Party considered a similar censure, Sasse remained defiant, stating that politics should not be about the "worship of one dude."
May 27, 2021: Sasse Supports Impeachment Efforts, Votes for January 6th Commission
In 2021, Sasse was the first Republican senator to publicly back efforts to remove Trump from office, believing his actions warranted impeachment. He voted to convict Trump in the second impeachment trial and supported the formation of a bipartisan commission to investigate the January 6th Capitol attack.
November 2022: Sasse Abstains from Vote on Respect for Marriage Act
Sasse has consistently opposed same-sex marriage. After the Obergefell v. Hodges ruling legalized it nationwide, he expressed disappointment and criticized the Supreme Court's decision. In November 2022, he abstained from voting on the Respect for Marriage Act, which aimed to codify same-sex marriage rights into federal law.
2022: Sasse Selected as University of Florida President
In 2022, the University of Florida's board of trustees and board of governors selected Sasse as the university's president.
2022: Sasse Supports Increased Military Aid to Ukraine Following Russian Invasion
In the wake of the 2022 Russian invasion of Ukraine, Sasse advocated for greater US military support to Ukraine, stating that any weaponry they could utilize should be provided.
January 8, 2023: Ben Sasse Becomes President of the University of Florida
Ben Sasse assumed the role of president at the University of Florida, succeeding Kent Fuchs, on January 8, 2023.
February 6, 2023: Sasse Becomes President of the University of Florida
On February 6, 2023, Sasse assumed the presidency of the University of Florida.
2023: Ben Sasse Resigns from the U.S. Senate
Ben Sasse resigned from his position as U.S. Senator in 2023.
July 18, 2024: Ben Sasse Announces Resignation from the University of Florida
On July 18, 2024, Ben Sasse announced his unexpected resignation from his position as president of the University of Florida, citing his wife's health issues.
July 31, 2024: Ben Sasse's Resignation from the University of Florida Effective
July 31, 2024, marked the effective date of Ben Sasse's resignation from his role as president of the University of Florida.