Dear Friend,

The U.S. Senate has been hard at work this month. We passed a bill to put education decisions back in the hands of our families and local communities. In addition, we approved a long-term highway bill. We’ve also held a number of hearings on the nuclear agreement with Iran and what it means for the security of our nation and the world. I look forward to continuing to give this deal a thorough review.

As the summer legislative session comes to a close, I’m excited to spend August traveling the state of Nebraska and meeting with you. In addition to many meetings and events, I’ll also be holding over a dozen listening sessions across the state. These forums are important opportunities for Nebraskans to share their questions and concerns with me directly. You can find more information on these listening sessions by following me on Facebook and Twitter or in your local newspaper.

Have a great weekend, and please read on for more news from my office this month.

Challenging the Iran Deal

As many of you know, earlier this month President Obama announced the United States has reached a nuclear agreement with Iran. I was disappointed, but not surprised, to see the Obama administration present this deal to the United Nations before the American people have had a chance to weigh in. As your elected representatives in Congress, we have a responsibility to spend the next two months examining and debating this agreement. The security of our nation and the preservation of the free world hangs in the balance. We simply cannot afford to get this wrong. Click here to watch a video where I highlight my concerns with the deal. 

Fighting for You on the Issues That Matter

Highway Bill Passage

Through bipartisan cooperation, the Senate has advanced a bill that authorizes funding for important transportation projects for six years. I have strongly advocated for a long-term transportation bill since my first year in office. By working closely with key transportation stakeholders in Nebraska, we were able to reduce burdensome regulations, keep goods moving, and improve support for rural communities. This is a crucial first step toward providing greater certainty and economic relief to our states, businesses, families, and the American travelers. Click here to read more about the bill. 

Local Solutions for Education

This month, the Senate passed important legislation to put education decisions back in the hands of Nebraska families and local communities. The bill, known as the Every Child Achieves Act, would end the Common Core mandate by letting states determine their academic standards without interference from Washington. This legislation replaces the ‘one-size-fits-all’ bureaucracy with real reforms. Parents, teachers, and our communities will be empowered to determine the best policies to ensure future generations have the skills they need to succeed.

Taking a Stand Against Planned Parenthood

By now, I’m sure you have seen media reports involving the horrendous Planned Parenthood videos. I am disgusted by these revelations. The lack of compassion for women and their unborn babies is absolutely shocking. But being shocked isn’t enough. We must put an immediate end to these horrific practices, and I have been working hard with my colleagues to do just that. Earlier this month, I was one of 50 senators who called for a federal investigation into Planned Parenthood. 

Just this week, I joined Senator Joni Ernst of Iowa and several of my colleagues to introduce legislation to defund this organization. Instead of funding a scandal-plagued organization, taxpayer money should be used to support health centers that truly prioritize women’s health.

In Case You Missed It … Fischer in the News

Fischer-Booker a Fine Example
Editorial – Lincoln Journal Star
The budding rapprochement between Sen. Deb Fischer, a red-meat, white Republican from Nebraska ranch country and Sen. Cory Booker, a vegan, African-American from New Jersey, is a marvel.

Technology's opportunities and dangers
Editorial - Omaha World-Herald
Sen. Deb Fischer of Nebraska is among a bipartisan group of four U.S. senators pushing the federal government to get a better handle on these technological developments so that society can maximize the private-sector opportunities, address challenges with bandwidth and be proactive in guarding against hacking.

Another pothole looms in D.C.
Editorial – Lincoln Journal Star
Fischer is weary of the stop-gap approach. “I’ve long advocated for moving away from short-term patches,” she told Nebraska reporters. “Instead we need to focus on longer term solutions.”

Help states, cities plan
Editorial - Omaha World-Herald
Congress would do well to listen to Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer and her colleagues who oversee surface transportation and advocate for creative approaches.

Midlands lawmakers, constituents skeptical of Iran nuclear deal
Omaha World-Herald
Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., said Nebraskans have been overwhelmingly opposed to the deal in their phone calls to her office.

Fischer, Booker bipartisan Senate friends
Lincoln Journal Star
Sen. Deb Fischer and Sen. Cory Booker have been working together on some legislation and shared priorities, and in the process they've become what they both describe as Senate friends.

Nebraska officials pleased with rewrite of No Child Left Behind
Lincoln Journal Star
Sen. Deb Fischer, who voted in favor, said in a prepared statement that the legislation puts education decisions back into the hands of Nebraskans to create policies that work best.

Carter met with skepticism as he touts Iran deal before Senate panel
Omaha World-Herald
Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., asked about access of international inspectors to Iran’s military centers and differences between what the Obama administration and Iranian officials have said about that issue.

McCain says Iran deal increases risk of Middle East conflict
The Washington Post
Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) questioned the deal’s mechanisms for resolving allegations of cheating by Iran, and how much time might pass before inspectors can examine an undeclared site.

Photos from July

During a discussion at the Hudson Institute this month, I ran into Nebraskan and West Point cadet Austin Safranek. 

Nebraska delegates to the JDRF Children’s Congress Molly Durham and Dunn siblings Nolan and Patsy visited Washington while they were advocating for efforts to fight diabetes. 

I enjoyed meeting National Federation of Independent Business finalist Emily Sorensen from Creighton. It’s exciting to see young Nebraskans being recognized for their hard work and outstanding accomplishments. 

Nebraska American Legion delegates Brodey Weber and Cody Scheele stopped by my office while visiting our nation’s capital.

I had an inspiring discussion with Facebook COO Sheryl Sandberg and several of my female Senate colleagues. We discussed how we can empower more women to “Lean In” and be leaders. 

One afternoon in Lincoln this month, I rode along with firefighters from Lincoln Firehouse #7 – Animal House. We owe them an incredible debt of gratitude for putting their lives on the line to keep Nebraskans safe. 

There’s no better feeling than being around friends and family celebrating the 4^th of July. Thanks to J.E. George Boulevard, Ralston, and Seward for hosting me at parades this year. 

Sincerely,

Deb Fischer
United States Senator for Nebraska