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WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) joined Maria Bartiromo today on FoxBusiness to discuss the path forward to making President Trump’s 2017 tax cuts permanent. Senator Fischer highlighted President Trump’s support of the Senate’s budget framework and emphasized the need for Republicans to work together to fulfill their promises to the American people. 

During the interview, Senator Fischer also stressed the importance of giving President Trump time to address unfair trading practices, particularly those affecting ag producers and manufacturers.

On Making Tax Cuts Permanent

Fischer: “Well, when we passed our budget resolution last week, we were just starting the process. That's a framework that we use here in the Senate, along with the House. In order to have reconciliation so we can meet President Trump's agenda: to support our troops, to secure the border, to unleash American energy, and to keep taxes low. What we're looking at here in the Senate is to make our tax cuts that we passed in 2017 permanent. If we don't, the American public will see a $4 trillion tax increase at the end of 2026. I look forward to working with the House to make sure that we can meet all those extremely important points that we have promised the American people.”

On President Trump Supporting the Senate’s Budget Framework  

Fischer: “You know, I think we can work together to get this done. That's our goal. We all want to be able to get this done for the American people right now. If we don't make those tax cuts permanent, as I said, that's a $4 trillion tax increase. The family of four that makes about $80,000 they would see $1,700 tax increase. We promised to keep taxes low. That's one of our promises and President Trump likes ours.”

On Giving President Trump Time to Address Unfair Trading Practices

Fischer: “I want to give the President time. That's where I'm at, and that's where Nebraskans are, too. To be able to give the President time, as you quoted what he had put up this morning, I agree with those points. We're seeing a decrease in oil prices. We're seeing food prices come down. 

“Here in Congress, we are looking at spending cuts to get spending under control. We're looking at getting rid of a lot of regulations out there. All of that is part of this package. So, when we wait for the President's tariffs to be able to have an impact on the unfair trade practices that we have seen against ag producers, against manufacturing here in America, we want to make sure that we're going to be addressing that.”

On Leveling the Playing Field for American-Grown Energy

Fischer: “Nebraska is an ethanol state, we are the second largest producer. When we talk about ethanol, ethanol from Brazil comes in with no tariff right now, none. They pay zero. But yet, when we export ethanol to Brazil, 18%. Those kinds of actions by other countries need to stop. Those are prohibitive for exports. We had an administration under Joe Biden that did nothing. They had no interest whatsoever in trade. We saw an over $40 billion trade deficit. That has to stop, so we're giving the President time.”