Build USA Act

This month, I was proud to introduce a new transportation bill known as the Build USA Act. Core infrastructure projects have been at a standstill across the country due to excessive regulations and a lack of transportation funding. Meanwhile, millions of Americans sit in endless traffic jams on decaying roads as construction projects remain stalled. To get America moving, the Build USA Act would create the American Infrastructure Bank (AIB) and offer states new financing and funding tools to generate transportation projects.  The bill is modeled off a plan I championed in Nebraska that has led to successful projects in Buffalo County, South Sioux City, Scottsbluff, and Adams County. Click here to watch my floor speech on the bill where I highlighted these Nebraska success stories. 

For more information on the Build USA Act, read my op-ed in the Omaha World-Herald. 

FIGHTING FOR YOU ON THE ISSUES THAT MATTER

Strengthening Free Trade

Our nation has an enormous opportunity to open new markets, increase productivity, and create jobs through strong free-trade agreements. This month, the Senate passed bipartisan Trade Promotion Authority legislation, ensuring that the United States will have a strong voice at the negotiating table. It also allows the unsung heroes of the American dinner table – including Nebraska’s farmers, ranchers, food processors, and their families – to offer their products to the world. Click here to read more. 

Generating New Opportunities for Struggling Americans

Earlier this month, I was proud to introduce legislation that would improve the Small Business Administration’s microloan program. The Microloan Act of 2015 helps America’s entrepreneurs with limited resources by increasing flexibility and creating more opportunities for them to start their own businesses. Without access to capital, too many struggling Americans are unable to build and grow successful small businesses. This common-sense bill will provide ambitious creators with the tools they need to start their own businesses, escape poverty, create jobs, and strengthen our families and communities.

Stopping the EPA’s Electric Takeover 

Also this month, I helped introduce new legislation that will halt the damaging effects of the Obama administration’s proposed regulations on new and existing power plants. As a 100 percent public power state, Nebraska will be disproportionately impacted. Families and businesses will be forced to pay for costly plant upgrades, higher electricity bills, and more expensive goods and services. To stop this, I cosponsored the Affordable Reliable Energy Now Act (ARENA). This bill would protect states from the EPA’s proposed takeover of our electric grid. This overreach is unnecessary and with this bill, we can empower states across the country to protect their citizens without harming our economy.

Fischer Legislation Approved by Commerce Committee

Two of my bills passed through markup in the Senate Commerce Committee this month, including the E-Warranty Act and the Maritime Administration Enhancement Act. These bills show that bipartisan solutions are possible. Senator Bill Nelson of Florida and I worked together to present the E-Warranty Act, which would provide manufacturers with the option of meeting their warranty notice requirements by posting this information online. The world is changing, and our technology is getting smaller, faster, and more efficient. Our laws must follow suit. 

The other bill provides important resources for our Maritime Administration (MARAD). I was pleased to work with Senator Cory Booker of New Jersey to reach an agreement and ensure that MARAD’s programs to strengthen national security and enhance our nation’s maritime transportation system will be authorized.

To learn more about these bills, please click here. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT … FISCHER IN THE NEWS

Senate Overwhelmingly Approves Bill to Review Iran Nuclear Agreement
America’s News HQ – Fox News Channel
Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) joined America’s News HQ host Arthel Neville on Fox News to discuss the Iran legislation, which overwhelmingly passed the Senate earlier this month

U.S. Republican senator proposes national infrastructure bank
Reuters
The Build USA Act, the latest in a series of similar but unsuccessful attempts to generate infrastructure funding without raising taxes, would create an American Infrastructure Bank (AIB) with a bipartisan board, including the U.S. transportation secretary. The bill would also offer states more authority over their own compliance with federal infrastructure requirements.

GOP vows to fight against Obama’s ‘power grab’ water rule
The Hill
“The Obama administration’s new regulation implies that Washington bureaucrats know better than the people of our state,” Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) said in a statement. “This rule is reckless and unwarranted, and I will work tirelessly to stop this expansion of federal control,” she said.

Sen. Deb Fischer lays out sweeping plan to revamp nation's road funding
Omaha World-Herald 
Sen. Deb Fischer offered a sweeping proposal Tuesday intended to pave the way for new highways, tunnels, and bridges throughout the country.

Fischer proposes national infrastructure bank
Lincoln Journal Star
Following the model she established in Nebraska as a state legislator, Sen. Deb Fischer on Tuesday introduced legislation designed to offer states new financing and funding tools to generate highway construction.

“The Debs”
Column – Omaha World-Herald
For the past three years, a YMCA boys basketball team in Omaha has called itself “The Debs.” They are certainly not debutantes. The team’s official name is “Team Deb Fischer,” in honor of the U.S. senator from Nebraska.

Federal Highway Trust Fund runs low as states enter height of construction season
Omaha World-Herald
Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., is chairwoman of the subcommittee with jurisdiction over surface transportation. She held a hearing last week on the trust fund. After the hearing she noted the urgency and called for swift action on the short-term extension while working on the bigger picture.

Editorial, 5/15: A vote for better roads
Lincoln Journal Star
The highway trust fund has repeatedly gone broke. Every so often, Congress gets its act together and injects another infusion of funds -- but only when the situation reaches crisis level. The Legislature recognized in 2011, when it passed the Build Nebraska Act sponsored by then-state Sen. Deb Fischer, to designate one-quarter cent of the state sales tax for roads. 

Fischer, Smith applauded for support of E15 legislation
The Grand Island Independent
Sen. Deb Fischer and Rep. Adrian Smith are being applauded for their support of a bill to expand the volatility waiver for blends of American Ethanol up to 15 percent (E15), ultimately increasing consumers’ access to higher blends of American Ethanol year-round.

Get moving, build USA
Fischer Op-Ed - Omaha World-Herald
Chances are, you were sitting in traffic or just missed a pothole before reading this.

PHOTOS OF THE MONTH

Earlier this month in Omaha, I was honored to welcome home Nebraska Army National Guard soldiers returning from deployment. 

It was fun visiting with students from Lifegate Christian School on Capitol Hill this month – a great group of young Nebraskans with strong interest in their government and local communities.

Meeting with members of the Nebraska March of Dimes Chapter in Washington, D.C. 

This month, I spoke with one of Nebraska’s finest, State Trooper Jeremy Strack of Lincoln. 

I had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Melissa Newkirk of Omaha and Mr. Cole Jacobsen of Wisner – Nebraska’s top youth volunteers for 2015. Melissa and Cole received the Prudential Spirit of the Community Award. They joined their families and fellow honorees in Washington this month for several days of special events in recognition of their exceptional service.