This month from Senator Fischer: Home in Nebraska

Dear Friends,

Last week, the Senate had its state work period and I was delighted to be home in Nebraska. As I travelled the state, I had the opportunity to visit with many Nebraskans and hear your thoughts on a variety of different issues.

Nebraskans are engaged in many of the serious issues facing our nation. From ensuring quality health care for our veterans to improving transportation, our citizens want to see meaningful change in a number of areas.

I’m looking forward to sharing the feedback I received from you with my colleagues – whether it’s in committee hearings, on the Senate floor, or at the leadership table. By working together, we can unite to advance common-sense solutions that will have a positive impact across Nebraska and our country. Each and every day I am honored to represent Nebraska in the U.S. Senate, and I hope you will continue to keep me informed of the issues that matter to you.  

KETV INTERVIEW

I sat down with KETV anchor Rob McCartney this month for a one-on-one interview that aired on the February 22 edition of The Chronicle. I discussed a wide variety of topics, including the threat of ISIL, harmful EPA regulations, and my new subcommittee chairmanships in the 114th Congress. Watch the full video here.

FIGHTING FOR YOU ON THE ISSUES THAT MATTER

Balancing the Budget
Our national debt has been out of control for years and now stands at over $18 trillion. But as millions of families are sacrificing to make ends meet, our government has had little incentive to do the same. That’s why I am proud to once again support a balanced-budget amendment to the Constitution. This common-sense amendment will help future generations enjoy the blessings of prosperity rather than suffocate under the wasteful plundering of our resources. Click here to read more.

 CoOportunity Health Collapse
Due to the failure of CoOportunity Health, thousands of Nebraskans are now forced to decide whether to give up the health care that they chose or lose the subsidies they were promised. This month, I joined Iowa Senators Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst to send a letter pressing CMS, the federal agency in charge of health care co-ops, for answers on helping those affected by CoOportunity’s collapse. Click here to read more.

Keep Goods Moving
Our nation’s ports play a vital role in the growth of Nebraska’s economy.  As Chairman of the Surface Transportation Subcommittee, I held a hearing this month examining the role of ports in our nation’s transportation network, particularly as it relates to port infrastructure and efficiency. The hearing also highlighted the effect of service disruptions happening at West Coast ports. These delays have already affected imports and exports to and from Nebraska. Click here to learn more and watch the hearing.

Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act
Hunting and fishing are a way of life in Nebraska and part of our rich heritage. This month, I was proud to help introduce The Bipartisan Sportsmen’s Act – a bill that would enhance recreational opportunities in Nebraska and across the country. The legislation would prevent anti-hunting groups from restricting sportsmen’s ammunition choices. Such unnecessary constraints are driving up hunting costs, impeding participation in shooting sports, and decreasing conservation funding. Click here to watch a video of my floor speech on the bill. 

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT … SENATOR FISCHER IN THE NEWS

Fischer on President’s budget: it spends and taxes too much
Nebraska Radio Network
“If 10 years down the road we can get a budget that balances; that is what I hear from Nebraskans. I’ve heard it the last three years:  cut back on the spending and live within your means,” Fischer tells Nebraska reporters in a conference call. “We do that as families and we need to do that as a country.”

Fischer challenges federal agency on CoOportunity
Lincoln Journal Star
In a letter to Marilyn Tavenner, administrator of the federal Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services, Fischer joined U.S. Sens. Chuck Grassley and Joni Ernst of Iowa in calling attention to CMS's failure to support it and its customers in its distress.

Fischer asks: What's the end game?
Lincoln Journal Star
"It is very important we have an end game," Fischer said. "We have not heard any strategy from the president.""Are we going to be confronting Iran and deal with their growing belligerence and growing ambitions in the region?" Fischer asked. "Those multi-layered (concerns) need to be addressed in a way that the American people understand what's involved," she said.

Deb Fischer seeks changes in way student loan cost gets calculated
Omaha World Herald
Last week, Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., renewed her push to move to a fair-value accounting system, saying that is a more honest approach and one that is particularly needed in light of the nation’s mounting debt. “It will also ensure that the risks to taxpayers are properly and accurately evaluated in order to prevent shortfalls,” Fischer said in a statement.

Fischer says immigration ruling could be game-changer
Lincoln Journal Star
Sen. Deb Fischer said Wednesday the ruling of a federal judge in Texas temporarily blocking President Barack Obama's executive actions on immigration could be "a game-changer" in helping ease a standoff with Congress.

Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer says U.S. must stand against Islamic State
Omaha World Herald
“This isn’t a regional problem,” she said during an interview in Omaha. “It is our fight.” “The administration needs to come to Congress and lay out an end-game strategy and what it needs,” Fischer said.

World-Herald editorial: Ports deal needs OK
Editorial - Omaha World Herald
In a congressional subcommittee hearing she chaired this month, U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Nebraska, heard representatives from ConAgra, Cargill and BNSF Railway describe the supply upheavals and expected increases in costs.

PHOTOS OF THE MONTH

 

  

I had the pleasure of welcoming LEAD fellows to Capitol Hill this month. As an alumna of this important program, I was thrilled to see LEAD Class 34 continue the strong legacy of Nebraska’s agricultural leaders.

 

It was great to visit with Wayne State College honor students who were in Washington for a political science conference. These students have a bright future ahead of them!

 

I also met with representatives from the Nebraska Corn Growers Association in my Capitol Hill office.

 

 I was honored to welcome members of the Nebraska American Legion to Capitol Hill. I am thankful for these veterans’ faithful service to our country and our state.

 

 

Over the state work period, I visited Werner Trucking and presented a flag flown over the Capitol to David Green – a military veteran and Werner truck driver. David has earned a prestigious spot on the American Trucking Association’s 2015-2016 America’s Road Team.

 

 

In Omaha on February 19, I enjoyed a productive meeting with a number of different Nebraska transportation stakeholders.

 

During a visit to the Lincoln VA campus on February 18th, I met with staff and local representatives to discuss their progress toward a new facility. Duncan Fallon, facility director of the Lincoln VA Clinic, and Dr. Christie Emler, chief medical officer at the Lincoln VA Clinic, were kind enough to lead me on an informative tour of the facility.