January Legislative Recap

Dear Friend,

Last year, President Trump was once again voted into office. Last month marked another monumental event in our nation’s history: our 60th Presidential Inauguration. I had the distinct honor of co-leading the committee that planned the Inauguration ceremony and other key events. Nebraska was represented throughout, as the UNL Combined Choirs sang the musical prelude at the Inauguration and Omaha Ribeye steaks featured at the Inaugural Luncheon.

Once President Trump assumed office, the Senate spent much of January considering his Cabinet nominees. I supported members of President Trump’s core team after questioning them in my committees. In the meantime, I introduced legislation to get America back on its feet during this new Golden Age.

Read more about my work for you below:

The beginning of 2025 marked my new term serving as your Senior Senator for Nebraska. I was humbled by the faith and trust Nebraskans placed in me as I took my Oath of Office for the third time.

Co-chairing the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, which planned the Inauguration, was a highlight of my career. But in addition to helping to plan and coordinate the ceremony, I had the great honor of delivering remarks and being the first person to introduce President Trump to the country after he took his Oath of Office for the second time.

You can read more about the ceremony here.

I also assumed a new role of leadership in the Senate as a Deputy Whip. Senator Barrasso, the newly-elected Majority Whip, appointed me to work alongside him in this new Congress to unite our caucus around Republican priorities and drive forward the President’s legislative agenda.

Along with my appointment as Deputy Whip, I will continue to serve on the following committees: Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry; Senate Rules and Administration; Senate Select Committee on Ethics; Senate Appropriations; and Senate Armed Services.

I also received appointments to three critical Senate Armed Services subcommittees. I will serve as Chair of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, as well as a member of the Subcommittee on Readiness and Management Support and the Subcommittee on Airfield.

Last Congress, I worked with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to pass legislation that makes a real difference to Nebraskans. Several of my bills were signed into law, including:

Recruit and Retain Act
Veteran Improvement Commercial Driver License Act
Restoring American Deterrence Act
Railroad Employment Equity and Fairness (REEF) Act
Advanced Aviation Act
Sustain Regional Air Travel Act
Winnebago Land Transfer Act
Swanson and Hugh Butler Reservoirs Land Conveyances Act
National Advisory Council on Indian Education (NACIE) Improvement Act

And just this month, I secured nearly $68 million in infrastructure grants for projects to improve railroad infrastructure in Eastern Nebraska.

In January, I also nominated some of Nebraska’s best and brightest to America’s top-tier military academies. I know each of them will serve Nebraska and the United States with honor.

Authoritarian regimes like China and Russia are actively working to undermine the security of our domestic communications. In January, I introduced legislation to increase transparency within the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). My bill will require the FCC to publicly identify entities holding any FCC-authorized grants of authority that are owned by foreign adversarial governments.

Read more about the Foreign Adversary Communication Transparency (FACT) Act here.

But it’s not just other governments that threaten our nation. Over the years, we’ve seen an uptick in violence against Americans committed by criminals who entered our country illegally. I’m a cosponsor of the Laken Riley Act to require Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) to arrest illegal immigrants who have been charged with or convicted of theft, burglary, larceny, or shoplifting. Sarah’s Law, requiring the detention of any illegal immigrant charged with a crime resulting in death or serious bodily injury, was included in this bill—honoring Nebraska’s own Sarah Root, who was tragically killed years ago by an illegal immigrant who was driving drunk. The legislation passed the Senate and was signed into law this month.

Read more about the Laken Riley Act here.

As the 119th Congress began, I reintroduced my bill to improve Americans’ safety on the roads. Studies show that outdated crash-test standards make women 17 percent more likely to be killed in auto crashes than men, and yet most vehicle safety tests only use crash-test dummies modeled after male heights and weights. My She DRIVES Act would modernize these tests by requiring the use of the most advanced testing devices available.

In addition to protecting ourselves, we must also protect our property. Freight fraud is a growing problem in America. We cannot allow bad actors in the shipping and moving industry to violate consumer trust and harm our nation’s supply chain. I introduced a bill that would give the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) the tools needed to protect consumers from freight fraud.

The Senate has been in session day and night, week in and week out, working to confirm President Trump’s Cabinet nominees.

I joined Maria Bartiromo on FOX Business and Jon Scott on FOX Report to discuss the importance of confirming these nominees and the risks to our nation if we fail to do so.

This past month, I questioned:

Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Defense, on the importance of nuclear deterrence and the need for a more robust defense industrial base.

Sean Duffy, Secretary of Transportation, on his plans to ensure that all state Departments of Transportation receive clear, consistent guidance from the Federal Highway Administration over funding requests.

Brooke Rollins, nominee for Secretary of Agriculture, on her plans to hold America’s trading partners accountable, the role of the U.S. Department of Agriculture in creating new export markets, and the importance of the biofuels market for agricultural producers.

Howard Lutnick, nominee for Secretary of Commerce, on the importance of protecting federal spectrum airwaves that are critical to national security and guarding against technology threats from China.

Fischer Introduces Foreign Adversary Communications Transparency Act

Senator Deb Fischer reintroduces bill to use female dummies in vehicle safety testing

Deb Fischer, Amy Klobuchar speak about democracy at Trump's inauguration

From singers to steaks, Nebraska plays prominent role in Trump's second inauguration

Biofuels Supporting Senators Question EPA Nominee

Sen. Deb Fischer praises Trump's cabinet picks and immigration policy

Fischer Reintroduces She DRIVES Act to Improve Passenger Vehicle Safety

Fischer Secures Nearly $68 Million in Infrastructure Grants

Fischer Appointed Deputy Whip

Fischer Introduces Legislation to Strengthen U.S. Telecommunications Against Foreign Adversaries

Fischer Reintroduces Legislation to Increase Accountability and Transparency at Amtrak

Fischer Introduces Legislation to Fight Freight Fraud

	I was humbled by the faith and trust Nebraskans placed in me as I took my Oath of Office for the third time. I will not break that trust, and I will not betray that faith. Thank you!
I was glad to meet with the American Council of Engineering Companies of Nebraska. We discussed Nebraska’s priorities going into the new year.
	I met with Lee Zeldin, President Trump’s nominee for the Environmental Protection Agency, to discuss his priorities for the upcoming administration. I look forward to working with him to cut regulations, support biofuels, and lower costs for American families.
I enjoyed meeting with Kelly Loeffler, President Trump’s nominee for Administrator of the Small Business Administration. We discussed her plans to strengthen our economy and rural communities by investing in America’s small businesses!
	I appreciated Dan Driscoll, President Trump's nominee for Army Secretary, stopping by my office. We discussed improving recruitment, increasing munitions production, and the future of the Army.
I had a productive conversation with Kash Patel, President Trump’s nominee for FBI Director. We discussed the Bureau’s foundational mission to keep Americans safe and how to ensure the integrity and transparency of its work.
	I met with President Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Education, Linda McMahon. She is a steadfast advocate for parents and students alike, and I look forward to working together in the future.
I had a good discussion with President Trump’s nominee for Secretary of the Navy, John Phelan, on issues facing the Navy and the importance of the Columbia-class submarine. I look forward to hearing more from him in the future.
	It was great to meet with Howard Lutnick, President Trump’s nominee for Secretary of Commerce. We discussed trade policy, broadband expansion, and his plans to build a better economy for Nebraskans.
I met with Tulsi Gabbard, President Trump’s nominee for Director of National Intelligence. We discussed her approach to the role and the importance of our nation’s intelligence programs.
	I met with the Nebraska Wheat Board to discuss infrastructure, exports, and the Farm Bill.
I had a great breakfast with President Donald J. Trump at the Blair House. I am looking forward to an exciting next four years!
	The University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s University Singers were ready to take the stage for the 60th Presidential Inauguration. It was my pleasure to welcome them to the Capitol for rehearsal! These talented students represented Nebraska well.
Welcome back, President Donald J. Trump. It’s time to get to work!
	I met with my good friend Mayor Joey Spellerberg today. Fremont is a community on the move and fortunate to have such strong leadership!
I am always happy to meet with the Nebraska Farm Bureau. We discussed the future of year-round E15 under President Trump and our plans to pass the Farm Bill.
	It was great to meet with the Nebraska Chiropractic Physicians Association and the American Chiropractic Association to discuss expanding chiropractic access for Nebraska.
I was honored to attend Pete Hegseth’s swearing-in ceremony in the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. I look forward to working with him to care for our warriors and provide them with the resources they need to complete their missions and protect our nation!
	I met with Elbridge Colby, President Trump’s Under Secretary of Defense for Policy nominee. We had an in-depth discussion on strategic priorities and how to achieve peace through strength.
Our law enforcement officers provide our nation with the safety and security essential to build lives and families. I was honored to receive the Policymaker of the Year Award from the National Conference on Public Employee Retirement Systems (NCPERS) for my work on the Recruit and Retain Act—now signed into law!