March Legislative Recap

Dear Friend,

The past month has been a busy one, both in Nebraska and Washington. Much of our time in Washington has been spent reversing ineffective Biden administration-era regulations, defending justice, and supporting Nebraska.

Read more about my work for you below:

For too long, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) has infringed on the freedom of American citizens. This month, the EPA took a significant step toward reversing the Biden administration’s harmful regulations. Among these policies is the Clean Power Plan 2.0 rule, a rule that threatened to undermine the affordability and reliability of electricity, driving up costs for Nebraska families.

In addition to this rule, the agency also announced plans to reassess burdensome emissions regulations on light-duty, medium-duty, and heavy-duty vehicles—policies that effectively forced electric vehicles upon automakers and consumers, rather than promoting sensible, market-driven solutions like E15.

In 2023, the Biden administration sought to dramatically expand federal regulatory authority over “waters of the United States” (WOTUS). This month, President Trump’s EPA announced it would be taking action to rescind this overreach.

You can read more about reforming the EPA here.

In March, two criminals were detained and will be held fully accountable for their actions against their victims and the United States. The Trump administration has made it clear that they will stand firm against terror, and America will respond forcefully to attacks on our own people.

Among those impacted by such crimes was Sarah Root, a beloved Nebraskan whose death left a scar on both her family and community. Though her killer evaded arrest for nearly a decade, he was apprehended this month. Her family will finally receive the justice they have long deserved.

Sarah’s killer is not the only criminal we arrested this month. The man responsible for planning the Abbey Gate bombing, which resulted in the death of 13 American service members including Nebraskan Corporal Daegan Page, was caught by the administration. He will be brought to swift and unrelenting justice.

You can read more about the detention of the Abbey Gate bombing murderer here.

I’m continuing to push in the fight for year-round, nationwide E15 sales. This month, I joined U.S. Representative Adrian Smith (NE-03) to call on Congress to pass my Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025 at a press conference. My legislation is the only permanent, nationwide solution that would end years of patchwork regulations.

I also joined Bret Baier on Fox News to discuss the importance of Congress passing my bill, and I was invited on to theNational Corn Growers Association’s “Cobcast” where we talked about the vital role ethanol plays for Nebraska producers and rural communities.

The Department of Defense’s top priority is strengthening our nuclear deterrent. This past month, I questionedSecretary of the Air Force nominee Dr. Troy Meink and Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment nominee Michael Duffey on their commitment to nuclear modernization – including our intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) force.

I also questioned expert witnesses about the use of the Defense Production Act (DPA) for defense mobilization. This is an important tool that can bolster critical manufacturing needs for our national defense.

It’s crucial the Department retains access to portions of vital spectrum airwaves. I questioned senior military leaders who confirmed that if certain segments of spectrum currently utilized by the Department were auctioned off, President Trump’s Golden Dome missile defense system could not be executed.

Another serious concern I raised was the critical role of the National Disaster Medical System (NDMS) in maintaining surge capacity during conflicts. The University of Nebraska Medical Center works with NDMS to ensure we are prepared to respond to mass casualties in times of national emergency.

Read more about stabilizing the Military Health System here.

In just over two months, President Trump has begun delivering for the American people by securing our border, unleashing American energy, and defending our nation from threats abroad. I look forward to continuing my partnership with the Trump administration to make Nebraska safer, more affordable, and more prosperous over the next four years.

As we strive to improve the lives of Nebraskans, we must also address the challenges that arise from common life events that often demand more time spent at home, making it difficult to maintain a routine work schedule and, in turn, creating financial uncertainty under already stressful and unpredictable circumstances.

That’s why I introduced legislation, the Paid Family and Medical Leave Tax Credit Extension and Enhancement Act, to make my important tax credit for small businesses permanent. I hope to see it included in any tax package that Congress considers this year.

Along with supporting all families, I’m working to support those in rural areas of Nebraska and the country as a whole. I joined my colleagues this month to request that Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick improve the implementation of the BEAD program. Rural communities in Nebraska deserve the same access to internet that our cities enjoy! We must ensure the efficient and timely distribution of these program funds to ensure we are getting all Nebraska households connected to broadband.

Finally, in one of my March weekly columns, I wrote about my bill to honor those who participated in the legendary North Platte Canteen. During World War II, North Platte became a sanctuary for soldiers passing through Nebraska. A host of patriotic Nebraskans volunteered to give our own service members a taste of home and hope at the North Platte Canteen.

You can read more about the Canteen here.

Lawmakers push EV tax in highway bill talks

Attorney General Hilgers Joins with Statewide Leaders to Launch Website to Support Law Enforcement and Prosecution Recruitment Efforts

Common Ground: Restoring Energy Independence & Affordability

Fischer, Smith, Ricketts Celebrate USPS Plans to Keep Mail Operations In North Platte, Additional Investment

Senator Fischer and Congressman Smith reintroduce bill to honor Canteen Volunteers

Deb Fischer Asks Military Official: How Will You 'Better Prepare TRANSCOM' To Operate in Battle?

Defense Officials to Fischer: Without Full Access to Spectrum, Golden Dome Could Not Be Executed

Fischer Praises EPA for Taking Steps to Revise WOTUS Regulatory Overreach

Fischer Celebrates Reconsideration of Biden-Harris Clean Power Plan 2.0

Fischer, Colleagues Request Removal of Burdensome Biden-Era Regulations on Broadband Program

Fischer, Smith Urge Congress to Fulfill President Trump’s Pledge to Allow Year-Round Sale of E15

Fischer Statement on Arrest of Sarah Root's Killer

	I enjoyed attending the activation of the 95th Wing at Offutt Air Force Base. For years, I have worked with the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) to modernize our nuclear command, control, and communications. With the new 95th Wing, the Air Force will be better organized and prepared to support all future missions.
Every year, Close-Up brings groups of Nebraska high schoolers to Washington to speak directly with their senators and representatives. I had a great time chatting with Wisner-Pilger Gators' students!
	Our college students are Nebraska's future leaders, which is why I was happy to have a roundtable discussion with University of Nebraska at Kearney undergraduates.
I met with National Rural Letter Carriers' Association to discuss their important work on keeping rural Nebraska connected through the USPS.
	Congratulations to Sustainable Beef on their ribbon cutting in North Platte! They are committed to Nebraska's beef industry, their community, and the next generation of producers.
I had a great time speaking at the Lincoln Chamber of Commerce's Congressional Report. I enjoyed catching up with attendees and speaking about my legislative work in the Senate to put Nebraska first.
	I took a tour of Completely KIDS' facilities and saw firsthand the incredible impact they have on the communities they serve through their after-school programs, adult education initiatives, and weekend food services. They are a vital pillar of our community!
Educare of Omaha gives over 650 children access to high-quality, full-time early education. I toured their facilities and heard updates on their impact on Omaha’s communities. I especially enjoyed the opportunity to read to the little ones.
	I had a great conversation with the Renewable Fuels Association to discuss my legislation to ensure that our producers have access to year-round E15.
I met with leaders from the City of Ralston to hear updates on their exciting infrastructure and development projects!
	Nebraska’s public schools work to provide our communities with the best education possible. I met with the Nebraska Association of Elementary School Principals and Nebraska State Association of Secondary School Principals to discuss how we can address challenges these educational institutions face.
I met with President Trump’s nominee for Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Lt. Gen. Dan Caine (USAF, Ret.). I appreciated hearing his views on national security challenges and opportunities.
	Access to health care, especially for women, remains a challenge in rural communities. I met with the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists to discuss how we address these health care deserts and support women’s health.
I had a great conversation with our Nebraska Native American school superintendents and school board members about how we can better support them in providing top-quality education to their communities.
	Livestock auctions are vital economic drivers in Nebraska rural communities. It was great to meet with the Livestock Marketing Association to discuss issues important to them!
The time is now. Congress must unleash the power of year-round E15 and support President Trump in his efforts to make America energy dominant. I won’t rest until my Nationwide Consumer and Fuel Retailer Choice Act of 2025 is signed into law.
	I had a great meeting with President Trump's nominee for Ambassador to the UK, Warren Stephens. We discussed how America can enhance cooperation with our close ally and build on our long-standing relationship.
I met with Minister of Defense of the Republic of Lithuania Ms. Dovile Sakaliene to discuss strengthening U.S.-Lithuania relations.
	I had a great tour with Father Hendrickson at Creighton University. It was wonderful to see the students in action and hear the latest updates on the school's progress.
I had a great chat with students from Tekamah-Herman Schools, Duchesne Academy, and Columbus High School as they visited Washington. Always a pleasure to host our students at the Capitol.
	The Omaha Professional Firefighters recognized me with their outstanding service award. Omaha is a safer place because of them!
I met with the Nebraska YMCA Alliance to discuss the impact they have in our communities. I heard about the positive experiences advocates had at their summer camps and how we can help in the Senate.
	I met with Luke Lindberg, President Trump’s nominee for Under Secretary of Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs, to discuss the importance of trade to Nebraska's agricultural economy and the need to expand markets for our agricultural products.
Over 30 million people in the U.S. are living with Type 1 Diabetes. I had a great conversation with Breakthrough T1D, hearing personal stories and discussing the importance of funding for research and support.
	I met with the Mid-West Electric Consumers Association to discuss ways to ensure that all communities across Nebraska have access to clean, affordable power.
I had the pleasure of meeting with Northeast Community College and some of their ag students to discuss how vital the industry is to our rural communities.