Washington, D.C. – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) delivered today her maiden speech on the floor of the United States Senate.

Video of her speech can be viewed HERE or by clicking the below image.

A transcript of her full remarks as delivered is also available below

“Mr. President: I rise today to deliver my maiden speech as a United States Senator from Nebraska.

“I am humbled by the trust placed in me by Nebraskans and inspired by their confidence to confront the great challenges before us.

“Our nation’s story began when bands of patriots fought a revolution to secure independence from an out-of-touch king residing an ocean away. The Framers believed a representative government closer to the people would be more responsive and better able to provide opportunity for individuals.

“From the start, leaders of good will and strong views disagreed over economic theories, the size of government, and foreign policy. Importantly, though, these divergent beliefs have been a source of national strength – not weakness – and through vigorous debate about the proper size and role of government, we have built a powerful nation.

“But as recent partisan disagreements prove, democracy is messy and the best way forward is not always clear.

“While I do not aim to resolve this contest of ideas with a single speech, I do wish to outline the course I intend to chart during my time in the United States Senate.

“To understand my views, Mr. President, you must first understand Nebraska.

“Nebraska’s motto is ‘The Good Life’ – a fitting maxim for a state with the second lowest unemployment rate in the country. Make no mistake: Nebraska’s economic success and sound fiscal footing are no accident.

“Like 45 other states, Nebraska is legally required to balance its budget. But unique to Nebraska is a constitutional prohibition against incurring state debt greater than $100,000 – a radical concept for lawmakers here in Washington. You can imagine Nebraskans’ dismay when they take stock of our nation’s $16 trillion debt and annual trillion-dollar deficits.

“Needless to say, Nebraskans know a better way.

“Nebraska is known for its pioneer history and sturdy spirit; its prime grazing grasses and plentiful crop production; its abundant natural resources, growing metropolitan areas, and vibrant small towns.

“But the state’s greatest treasure is its people.

“Nebraskans are hardworking. We get up early to work farms and ranches and return home late after attending local school board meetings. I make this claim, Mr. President, as a family rancher and former school board member myself.

“Nebraskans run thriving small businesses on Rockwellian Main Streets and sweat on factory floors; we lead multi-national corporations and we are builders – builders of homes, roads, and infrastructure.

“Nebraskans value community. We join the PTA, coach Little League teams after long work days, and volunteer for our churches and synagogues. We work hard, Mr. President, but we are people with perspective.

“Nebraskans are tough. We are tested by droughts, fires, floods, and a changing global economy. We’ve even endured 9-win football seasons. We are a strong-willed people – you have to be to survive a winter on the Great Plains – and we adapt, we innovate, and we grow.

“Nebraska is home to the only unicameral legislature in the nation. As a former two-term state senator, I was privileged to serve in the Unicameral for eight years. Notably, state senators in Nebraska are officially non-partisan. No matter party or ideological affiliation, any senator can serve in leadership – the only requirements are knowledge and ability. Serving in the Nebraska Legislature taught me the importance of building relationships and seizing opportunities to work across party lines – critical skills to avoid gridlock.

“Like many Nebraskans, I am deeply concerned about the future of our nation – that is why I entered public service. No single issue is more important to our future than the federal government’s addiction to spending.

“There are two main problems with government spending.

“First, runaway spending has failed to generate economic growth. Since 2009, the federal government has spent roughly $15 trillion. This spending spree includes $830 billion in stimulus spending, which was sold as ‘help for the private sector.’ Instead, the so-called ‘investment’ focused on growing the government.

“The result of this increased government spending has been a largely jobless economic recovery, record numbers of Americans stuck in poverty, and a spiraling national debt. Rather than empowering individuals to improve their lives, these bad economic policies have held Americans back.

“To change course toward renewed prosperity, I support a limited government focused on fulfilling its core duties and responsibilities.

“A limited federal government performs its first constitutional charge: providing for the common defense. To protect the nation, we must maintain a highly trained, well-equipped fighting force. Equally important, a limited government keeps its promises to veterans who have risked life and limb in defense of freedom.

“A limited federal government has a responsibility to fund critical needs, such as a 21^st-century infrastructure. To the surprise of many in Washington, this can all be done without raising taxes. Existing sources of revenue are sufficient for government to meet its fundamental responsibilities.

“As a member of the Nebraska Legislature, I introduced legislation directing a portion of Nebraska’s existing sales tax to fund new road construction. I worked with my colleagues – Republicans and Democrats – to utilize only existing revenues. With the right mix of hard work and good will, the Legislature passed the bill, and the state will now be able to fulfill a fundamental duty of government and improve Nebraska communities without raising taxes.

“We can make similar progress here in Washington – it is a matter of setting priorities.       

“The second problem with government spending is that it robs hardworking taxpayers of their personal income – just to grow bigger government.

“Big government crowds out the private sector and stifles innovation.

“This means more Solyndra-style investment rather than policies that promote and enable real innovators, the kind of risk-takers who launch a world-changing idea from their garage.

“Big government requires big funding. But rather than forcing Americans to forfeit more of their hard-earned tax dollars to Uncle Sam, I support policies that lower taxes and bolster the private sector; only then will the United States finally emerge from the long economic recession.

“Nebraskans understand that the bigger the government, the smaller the individual. And the smaller the individual, the less attention paid to freedom and personal responsibility.

“Limited government, on the other hand, remains grounded closer to home. And government that is closer to home is better suited for meeting individual needs, creating more opportunity, more efficiency, and more growth.

“The expansion of government and the subsequent erosion of freedom are not always obvious at first.

“Freedom can be chipped away at slowly, but steadily through new legal requirements such as ‘employer mandates’ in the healthcare law, or misguided attempts to regulate farm dust or the size of soft drinks.

“Eventually, individuals are constrained by lack of choice; society drifts without progress or creativity, and the economy stagnates. As President Reagan cautioned, ‘the nature of freedom is that it is fragile. It must be protected, watched over, sometimes fought over.’

“Reagan was right: freedom must be carefully guarded. We must remain vigilant against any attempt, large or small, to diminish it. Yet, despite this fragility, our God-given freedom is vast, limited only by the boundaries we impose upon it.

“Nebraskans understand vastness.

“We know what it’s like to look up at the night sky and see stars undiminished by city lights.

“We appreciate the land, which appears to roll without end, yet remains in need of care.

“Vastness gives us perspective, Mr. President, and some perspective would go a long way here in Washington.

“Beyond the beltway’s chattering class, there exists a nation of quiet heroes:

“Parents grateful for the dignity of hard work;

“Entrepreneurs willing to take great risks to grow a business;

“Farmers and ranchers dutifully tending land and livestock;

“Soldiers proudly wearing our nation’s uniform;

“Veterans bearing scars, both physical and invisible, reminding us of freedom’s price;

“And children, whose simple joy dispels our cynicism, which can come with everyday struggles.

“While our nation faces many challenges here at home and around the world, only petty politics holds us back from overcoming them. 

“We are a great and generous nation, Mr. President.

“We have faced seemingly insurmountable obstacles before and each generation has conquered them with that uniquely American combination of grit and grace.

“I believe – and Nebraskans believe – our nation’s future is bright.

“The United States remains the hope of the world. But this moment – this uncertain moment – requires real courage from elected leaders. That is not to say the debate over the role of government or taxes and spending will be resolved by the 113^th Congress.

“But we can do better – that’s what we were all sent here to do. Americans are not mediocre – they are exceptional – and they deserve leaders who act like it.

“Today, the whole world mourns the loss of such a leader: an uncommon woman born into common circumstances – the daughter of a grocer, former British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher.

“She was a woman who stood tall for principle, yet she had the wisdom to seize opportunities and work with allies and foes alike to achieve great things for the British people. Along with her partner and friend, Ronald Reagan, she helped to lead the world away from the long shadow of the Iron Curtain to a freer, more prosperous time. I admire her political courage to make difficult decisions and I hope to do the same here in Washington.

“Mr. President, I look forward to standing tall for Nebraska values and working with my colleagues – Republicans and Democrats – on common-sense solutions to ongoing challenges and I am proud to represent the citizens of Nebraska here in the United States Senate.

“I yield the floor.”