Mar 31 2015
March Newsletter
Dear Friends,
It’s been a very productive month and I’m excited to report on the progress we’ve made in the Senate. To begin, I’m thrilled to announce that the Senate unanimously passed my bill to create a commemorative coin in honor of the 100th anniversary of Boys Town. We were also able to pass a bipartisan resolution that I introduced on the “Internet of Things.” This forward-thinking initiative would promote tech innovation and greater economic growth. It’s exciting to see real things getting done as we continue to work toward meaningful, positive change.
Just last week, we ended the month on a high note with the Senate’s passage of a fiscally responsible balanced budget. It’s our responsibility to ensure that your hard-earned money is being used responsibly, and that we are moving our country forward each day. This budget is a step in the right direction and provides safeguards to rescue a prosperous America for future generations.
Over the next two weeks, I am looking forward to being home in Nebraska for the state work period. I’ll be meeting with Nebraskans across the state, including listening sessions in Aurora and Loup City. I always appreciate the opportunity to visit with Nebraskans and discuss the issues that matter to you.
With the holidays coming up, I want to wish you and your family a happy Easter and a blessed Passover.
Please read on for more news and updates from my work in Washington and Nebraska this month.
WOTUS Field Hearing
Click on the video above to see highlights from Senator Fischer’s WOTUS hearing.
On Saturday, March 14, I brought the U.S. Senate to Lincoln. I convened a field hearing of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee to bring Nebraska perspectives to the debate over new EPA regulations. The hearing focused on the impact of the proposed “waters of the United States” (WOTUS) rule, which would expand federal regulation of water across the state. A diverse group of stakeholders from all across Nebraska testified as witnesses, showing how this dangerous new rule would harm their businesses, families, and way of life. The hearing was a great success and I’m looking forward to bringing the information we received back to Washington.
For a complete list of witnesses, as well as information about the hearing and the proposed WOTUS rule, click here.
FIGHTING FOR YOU ON THE ISSUES THAT MATTER
Commemorating the 100th Anniversary of Boys Town
Last week, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed S. 301, The Boys Town Centennial Commemorative Coin Act. The bill, which I introduced in January, would authorize the Secretary of the Treasury to mint $5 gold coins, $1 silver coins, and half-dollar clad coins in honor of Boys Town’s 100th anniversary. Associated costs will be covered by the sale of the coins without any cost to the taxpayer or the Treasury Department. Nebraska is proud to be home to this life-changing nonprofit. I’m pleased to see this legislation move forward so we can highlight the important work of Boys Town in helping Nebraska families.
Protecting Our Ag Industry
This month, I joined 29 of my colleagues in sending a letter to the HHS and the USDA objecting to a report on food guidelines that advises Americans to decrease their consumption of red meat. Given the far-reaching economic impact that this proposal would have on Nebraska’s agriculture industry, I was alarmed to see that the committee’s recommendations were based on environmental concerns, not on sound science. I am pleased to report that in response to our letter, the Obama administration announced it will extend the comment period to make sure stakeholders have enough time to review and provide feedback on the report.
Ending Wasteful Federal Bonuses
Just last year, the Treasury Inspector General for Tax Administration released a report revealing that $2.8 million was paid in bonuses between 2010 and 2012 to employees with conduct violations. This included more than $1 million for over 1,100 IRS employees who have not paid their taxes. This is an outrageous example of wasteful government spending and it needs to stop. That’s why I joined Senators Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) and Claire McCaskill (D-Mo.) as an original cosponsor of the Stop Wasteful Federal Bonuses Act. This bill would prohibit bonus pay from being rewarded to federal employees who break laws or violate agency rules.
IN CASE YOU MISSED IT … FISCHER IN THE NEWS
Opponents of proposed clean water rule tell of negative effects
Lincoln Journal Star
“Fischer, Nebraska's senior Republican senator and a member of the Senate’s Environment and Public Works Committee, held a hearing on a proposed clean water rule Saturday morning at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln Hardin Hall Auditorium, which was filled with more than 100 spectators.”
World-Herald editorial: Water rules raise concern
Editorial – Omaha World-Herald
“The proposal would empower federal regulators for the first time to exert control over some types of small streams and ponds, roadside ditches, low-lying farm ground that floods at times and spots where water pools when it rains. Fischer has repeatedly urged the EPA to withdraw the proposal, and she has co-sponsored legislation telling federal regulators to do so.”
Federal bonus ban sensible
Editorial – Omaha World-Herald
“Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., with Sens. Kelly Ayotte, R-N.H., and Claire McCaskill, D-Mo., introduced the Stop Wasteful Federal Bonuses Act. This bill would prohibit federal agencies from awarding bonus pay to government workers if they violate agency policy for which employees could be fired or suspended, or if they break a law for which the employee could be jailed for more than one year.”
Fischer says new food guidelines harmful to agriculture
The Grand Island Independent
“Any changes to our nation’s food policies must be based on sound science and outside experts,” Fischer said. “Our ranchers, and the millions of Americans they feed, could be harmed for generations by inaccurate and unfounded reports like this.”
Sen. Fischer joins fight to save ammo for sportsmen
Kearney Hub
“This overreach by the ATF is an attack on the Second Amendment and another example of the federal government overstepping its authority,” Fischer said. “Americans should not be punished when exercising their right to use firearms in accordance with the law.”
Sen. Deb Fischer’s ‘Internet of Things’ resolution is approved
Omaha World-Herald
“The Senate on Tuesday approved a bipartisan resolution introduced by Sen. Deb Fischer to promote the “Internet of Things.” “This forward-thinking initiative is an important first step in ushering new ideas and innovations for years to come,” Fischer said.”
Don’t bonus IRS staffers with demerits in their files
Editorial – Kearney Hub
“U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., wondered that very thing, and wrote to IRS Commissioner John Koskinen expressing her concerns about the bonuses and the apparent mismanagement. ‘I asked for specific answers to a number of questions, including exactly how many employees received bonuses and what steps the IRS planned to take to recover taxpayer dollars,’ Fischer said.”
Local Solutions for Education
Fischer Column – York News-Times
“As Nebraskans, we are fortunate to have great schools filled with wonderful teachers. We owe a debt of gratitude to our teachers and administrators, who work incredibly hard day-in and day-out to provide our children with the knowledge and tools that they need for success. But in order to succeed, we must continue to seek the highest quality.”
Fischer Supports Human Trafficking Bill
KFOR
“During her weekly news conference, Nebraska Republican Senator Deb Fischer said that she supports the bill. Fischer says by labeling human traffickers, convicts could be detained while awaiting judicial proceedings.”
PHOTOS OF THE MONTH
I had the pleasure of meeting with Jeff Metz, Morrill County Farm Bureau President, and his son Dillion on March 21. Mr. Metz was visiting Washington to testify in front of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee. The hearing focused on the impacts of the proposed WOTUS rule.
I was honored to receive the “Friend of the Farm Bureau” award from members of the Nebraska Farm Bureau this month.
I had a great meeting with Father Boes of Boys Town, where we discussed my commemorative coin bill. The legislation unanimously passed the Senate last week.
With Royce Schaneman, Executive Director of the Nebraska Wheat Board and fellow LEAD graduate. I was honored to join LEAD alumni at their banquet in Lincoln on March 13.
It was great visiting with members of the Nebraska State Historical Society in Washington this month. I am thankful for their great work to preserve our state’s rich heritage.
I met with students from Logan View High School and Columbus High School on the steps of the U.S. Capitol on March 18. These students were visiting Washington through the Close Up program.
