Press

WASHINGTON – This evening, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) supported a procedural vote to advance legislation that will keep the government funded. The bill would allow more time to debate and approve appropriation bills for the coming fiscal year. Senator Fischer released the following statement after her vote this evening:

“For the first time in six years, Senate appropriators have passed all twelve funding bills out of committee. I have spoken twice on the Senate floor calling on my colleagues to debate these bipartisan measures, focusing especially on the need for legislation to provide resources for our men and women in uniform. Despite my efforts, Senate Democrats blocked us at every turn. The result of this Democratic intransigence is the need for more time to negotiate a long-term spending bill.

“To provide the required time for discussion and avoid a government shutdown, I am supporting a short-term funding measure. I share the frustration of so many Nebraskans, but I also believe this is the only responsible course of action. A government shutdown is an ill-conceived strategy that jeopardizes national security, hurts our seniors and veterans, and, as we learned in 2013, it accomplishes nothing.

“Last week, I voted in favor of a bill that would have eliminated discretionary spending for Planned Parenthood. I remain steadfastly committed to eliminating all funding for this scandal-plagued organization. Even with a government shutdown, mandatory spending – or Planned Parenthood spending associated with Medicaid – would continue. National Right to Life recognizes this truth, and they are opposed to a shutdown. The only way to eliminate both discretionary and mandatory funding is by passing S. 1881, a bill I cosponsored with Senator Joni Ernst.

“My support for an upcoming long-term spending bill will rely on maintaining important spending caps. Advancing a conservative, reform-oriented agenda is painstaking work, particularly with President Obama in the White House. I remain fully dedicated to fighting for conservative principles and restoring the spirit of shared optimism that is desperately needed across our nation.”

In March of 2015, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) released a report examining the federal funds received by Planned Parenthood from FY 2010 through FY 2012. GAO found that Medicaid was the largest source of federal funds provided to Planned Parenthood in each of the three fiscal years. Medicaid reimbursements to Planned Parenthood over the three years totaled roughly $1.18 billion.

Typically, funding for Medicaid is based on estimates for an entire fiscal year plus the first quarter of the subsequent fiscal year. As such, the Consolidated and Further Continuing Appropriations Act of 2015 (P.L. 113-235) has already appropriated $234.6 billion for FY 2015 and an additional $113.3 billion for the first quarter of FY 2016. This advance appropriation will be available on October 1, 2015. Therefore, reimbursements from Medicaid would remain available during a short term funding gap at the start of FY 2016, allowing Planned Parenthood to continue receiving funding during a government shutdown.

Click here to read the statement from National Right to Life President Carol Tobias, showing the harm this will cause to the Pro-Life movement.
Click here to read the GAO report on federal funding for Planned Parenthood.
Click here to view Senator Fischer’s floor speech on defunding Planned Parenthood.
Click here to view Senator Fischer’s floor speech on Senate Democrats 
blocking military spending.
Click here for background on S. 1881.
Click here to read the full text of S. 1881.
Click here for video of Senator Fischer’s remarks at the press conference 
announcing the introduction of S.1881. 
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