 Bruning said his comment might have been "inartful" but that he was trying to make a point about spending cuts being necessary.In August 2011, the "Omaha World-Herald" reported that Bruning had purchased a lakeside house valued at $675,000 near the Platte River in partnership with two Nelnet executives, almost a year after he and his office had been accused of acting favorably toward the student loan company by not enforcing payment of a $1 million judgment awarded to the State of Nebraska when Nelnet was under fire for alleged improper business practices.In 2012, Bruning sued the Federal government of the United States over the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act with a 26 state coalition.