url,title,date,year,month,party,chamber,state,member_name,bioguide_id,domain,scraper,source,date_source,text,has_text,collected_at,updated_at https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=04E803CD-846B-495D-834A-912862C7D273,Fischer Makes the Case for Golden Dome During Subcommittee Hearing,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), chair of the Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, convened a hearing for an update on Golden Dome, the multi-layer missile defense system being developed for the United States. Click here to download video of Fischer’s opening remarks Watch the full hearing here The committee heard testimony from the following witnesses: The Honorable David J. Trachtenberg, senior scholar, National Institute for Public Policy Dr. Thomas O. Karako, director of the Missile Defense Project, Center for Strategic and International Studies Mr. David E. Mosher, director of National Security Analysis, Congressional Budget Office Fischer’s remarks as prepared: Good afternoon and welcome to our witnesses who are joining us to discuss outside perspectives on Golden Dome for America. Our homeland is not a sanctuary. Our adversaries are developing and fielding long-range capabilities specifically designed to challenge and evade the limited defenses currently deployed. These include cruise missiles, hypersonic weapons, and large drones – threats that fall below the threshold of a full nuclear attack, yet could still provide devastating damage to our ports, critical infrastructure, and military installations. We do not have an effective counter to these threats, and we cannot afford to remain complacent. Our adversaries must never believe that they can coerce us with the threat of a limited, conventional missile attack on the United States. Which is why this subcommittee has been clear for years – on a bipartisan basis – that the United States needs a more comprehensive integrated air and missile defense system. This administration has supercharged these efforts. The Department [of War] is finally prioritizing homeland defense, has requested the resources needed to rapidly develop and field new systems, and has granted General Guetlein with all the authorities necessary to realize this vision as the Direct Reporting Program Manager for Golden Dome for America. I greatly appreciate General Guetlein’s close communication with this committee, and I’m confident that he’s building out an architecture that will provide the United States with much better coverage against a greater variety of threats. He’s committed to working with industry to lower costs, explore innovative ideas, and deliver capability as quickly as possible. Golden Dome completed its first successful test in June, and I look forward to hearing about future tests when our committee will be formally briefed in November. Most of the details of the architecture are highly classified, and rightly so. We do not want our adversaries to know the exact contours of Golden Dome. Unfortunately, keeping these details from the public has led to irresponsible speculation - often based on false assumptions - about what Golden Dome will look like and what it will cost the taxpayer. Mr. Mosher, I understand that CBO’s [Congressional Budget Office] cost estimate released earlier this year was underpinned by assumptions CBO made based solely on the limited language from President Trump’s Executive Order and does not reflect any of General Guetlein’s subsequent decisions about the overall program architecture, his engagements with industry to lower ‘cost-per-shot’, or how he plans to sequence the introduction of capability over time and leverage emerging technologies. I look forward to continued engagements with CBO on more informed analyses in the future. However, there is plenty we can talk about in this setting, and I look forward to hearing from the expert witnesses today about their views on what the Department should prioritize in Golden Dome.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=A1EB5405-40F1-49AE-851F-5003A62FE92B,Fischer Votes to Protect Consumers from Data Center Energy Costs,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) voted for the Ratepayer Protection Act, a bill introduced by Senator Jon Husted (R-OH), to create a federal standard for data centers to cover the cost of energy generation and transmission and keep local ratepayers from facing increased energy costs. Fischer is a cosponsor of the legislation. “We’ve heard concerns from Americans across the country about the impact data centers could have on their energy bills,” Fischer said. “Senator Husted has worked hard to address this, but Senate Democrats put politics over a real solution. I was proud to cosponsor and support the bill, and I remain hopeful we can still get it to President Trump’s desk.” The Ratepayer Protection Act overwhelmingly passed the U.S. House of Representatives on September 16, 2026, by a vote of 417-3. The legislation creates a standard that states can consider when connecting new large-load data centers or hyperscalers with 100 megawatts or more of peak demand at a single facility. This standard is based on three provisions: Large-load data centers should cover the full, incremental cost of any generation, transmission, or distribution upgrades they require. If a data center needs a new high-voltage line or a new generating station to meet its load, they alone should be responsible for those costs. Contracts between large-load data centers and utilities should include meaningful financial assurances to prevent overbuilding or stranding assets that would otherwise force everyday customers to absorb the cost. Many of the infrastructure upgrades they require last for decades, so communities should not be left paying for infrastructure built for a single customer who later scales back or relocates. States retain full flexibility to design the specific standards and agreements that work best for them. The bill does not impose a federal mandate; instead, it provides a thoughtful federal standard for states to consider as they evaluate how best to connect these very large loads. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=F009CCC4-54CB-4E3E-AFA9-CF591BD66562,Fischer Votes for Ricketts’ Stop Insider Trading Act,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Bill includes SAVE America Act provision requiring photo ID to vote WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) voted for the Stop Insider Trading Act, introduced by Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and cosponsored by Fischer, to prohibit Members of Congress from purchasing publicly traded stocks. It also includes a provision of the SAVE America Act requiring photo identification to vote. “Senator Ricketts has tackled insider trading to rebuild public trust and make sure Congress plays by the rules,” Fischer said. “I was proud to cosponsor and vote for this bill. Chuck Schumer, meanwhile, rallied Senate Democrats against it despite claiming to oppose insider trading and support photo ID to vote. It’s disappointing Senate Democrats refused to support this commonsense bill.” The Stop Insider Trading Act prohibits Members, their spouses, and their dependent children from purchasing any new stocks in publicly traded companies. It also requires public notice at least seven days, but no more than 14 days, in advance of any sell. The bill establishes a penalty of $2,000 or 10 percent of the investment value, whichever is greater, as well as the forfeiture of any net gain realized from any sale. The Stop Insider Trading Act was introduced in March of this year and is companion legislation to House Administration Committee Chairman Bryan Steil’s legislation introduced in the House of Representatives in January of this year. ###",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senate-democrats-block-ricketts-stop-insider-trading-act/,Senate Democrats Block Ricketts’ Stop Insider Trading Act,2026-09-30,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C – Today, Senate Democrats blocked U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts’ (R-NE) Stop Insider Trading Act. This bill would prohibit members of Congress, their spouses, and immediate family members from profiting off stocks while serving in public office. It would also require Members and their families to disclose plans to sell stock to the public seven days in advance. “Public service is not a profit-making business,” said Ricketts. “Democrats disagreed when they blocked my bill to ban members of Congress from insider trading. Senate Republicans voted to deliver for Americans and help restore their faith in government officials. The House passed this bill in a bipartisan manner. It’s discouraging that Senate Democrats failed to do the same.” The House passed the bill with a bipartisan vote of 232 – 198. Thirteen Democrats supported this bill. This is the second time Senate Democrats have blocked passage of the Stop Insider Trading Act.",1,2026-10-01T11:23:28Z,2026-10-01T11:25:15Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=88B99E68-7577-48F5-8AC0-B8262C8DE641,Fischer Statement on Gregory Ibach USDA Nomination,2026-09-28,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) issued the following statement on Gregory Ibach’s nomination to serve as the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Trade and Foreign Agricultural Affairs at the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA): “Congratulations to Greg on another well-deserved nomination. Having worked with Greg over the years, I know he will bring his experience and expertise to USDA at a time when farm country truly needs it. I look forward to working with him and finding new ways we can help producers in Nebraska.” Gregory Ibach served as the Under Secretary of Agriculture for Marketing and Regulatory Programs at USDA in President Donald Trump’s first term. Before his time at USDA, Ibach served as Nebraska’s Director of Agriculture. ###",1,2026-09-29T11:07:12Z,2026-09-29T11:08:49Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=271765AC-5AC9-4BE6-B339-72987B1A1E75,Senate Passes Fischer Satellite Defense Bill,2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – The U.S. Senate unanimously passed U.S. Senator Deb Fischer’s (R-NE) Secure Space Act to prevent foreign adversaries from accessing American satellite systems. “The threat foreign adversaries pose to our satellite infrastructure cannot be overstated,” Fischer said. “Countries like China and Russia are constantly trying to infiltrate our networks and get ahead. I am thankful my colleagues understand the importance of this legislation and the national security risks we face.” The Secure Space Act prohibits the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) from granting satellite licenses or U.S. market access for foreign-licensed satellite systems to any entity or its affiliates that produce or provide communications equipment, or services deemed a national security risk. This legislation amends the Secure and Trusted Communications Networks Act of 2019 to extend this prohibition to both geostationary and non-geostationary orbit satellite systems and includes gateway stations within its scope. It applies to new licenses and authorizations issued after the bill's enactment and requires the FCC to establish implementing regulations within one year. Background: The Secure Space Act was passed by the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on April 14, 2026. Fischer is a member of the committee and serves as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media. See bill text here. ###",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-op-ed-on-renewable-fuels-follow-nebraskas-lead/,"Ricketts Op-Ed: On renewable fuels, follow Nebraska’s lead",2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"The following op-ed by U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) was originally published by the Washington Times on September 3, 2026. Nebraska is a biofuels state. We are a leading producer of crops used for biofuel production. We are finding new opportunities to integrate and make biofuels in our supply chains. And we’ve incorporated them into our everyday lives. Nebraskans know that biofuels are a win-win-win. It’s time for the rest of the country to follow our lead. The first win is for American consumers. Biofuels save consumers money at the pump. In 2025, Nebraskans saved over $300 million using E10 or higher ethanol blends. The last time I filled up at Hy-Vee, I saved 55 cents a gallon with E10. Using biodiesel, Nebraskans pay about 20 cents less a gallon at the pump. This extra money can be used for a house payment or groceries. And that’s why I am pushing for nationwide E15and diversifying our biofuel markets. It would save Americans even more money. When I was Governor of Nebraska, we ran a program on standard state vehicles to test how 30% ethanol blends (E30) would perform. As of 2025, over 600,000 gallons of E30 had been used in state vehicles. We saved taxpayers more than $300,000 in fuel costs with E30. The study proved that fueling up with this higher ethanol blend was safe, clean and cheaper. But biofuels aren’t just good for consumers — they are also good for the environment. In the state E30study, 529 fewer tons of CO2 emissions have been emitted so far. Higher ethanol blends also lower pollutants such as carbon monoxide that can be harmful to people with heart disease. They also improve local air quality by lowering tailpipe emissions of harmful particulate matter. This is a huge win for the environment. It’s more than just ethanol blends, though. While Governor, I also signed the ImagiNE Nebraska Act to encourage public-private partnerships. This extends to biofuels projects. Just last month, I joined a ribbon-cutting for one of these projects. A new, state-of-the-art facility at Adams Land & Cattle in Broken Bow will convert cattle manure into pipeline-quality renewable natural gas (RNG). The feedlot is already preparing cattle for market. With this project, 1.2 million MMBtu of RNG will be produced each year. RNG helps economic development in rural communities and increases the nation’s fuel diversity. Home-grown fuel can power more than the highways, though. It can power transportation in the seas and skies. I’m leading the fight in the Senate to support biofuels in different transportation sectors. I introduced the Renewable Fuels for Ocean-Going Vessels Act to create new maritime markets for domestic biofuels, such as biodiesel and RNG. Projects in Nebraska would be able to play a role in this. I am also a cosponsor of the Farm to Fly Act, which would expand the use of Sustainable Aviation Fuel. This is the next step of American energy independence. The cost-savings for consumers paired with the benefits for the environment make biofuels great for farmers and ranchers. Biofuels help them get better prices for their crops. Increased demand also spurs job growth in rural communities. And with partnerships like the Neogenyx Adams Land & Cattle site, biofuels are creating new revenue streams in the agriculture supply chain. That’s why I continue to fight for biofuels on behalf of our agricultural communities. For example, Republicans passed the Working Families Tax Cuts. The legislation extended the 45Z clean fuel tax credit to support domestic biofuel production. This is dual purpose: it supports farmers and ranchers, and bolsters domestic energy production. I am also working with the administration to ensure small refinery exemptions do not undercut our farmers and ranchers. Stable markets are necessary for our farmers and ranchers as they feed and fuel our world. Biofuels are a win-win-win. They drive down the cost at the pump for consumers, are good for the environment, and help farmers get better prices for their crops. And there’s a fourth win: their role in American energy independence. Nebraska’s proven solutions are ready for America.",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-ricketts-introduces-agricultural-data-privacy-act/,Video: Ricketts Introduces Agricultural Data Privacy Act,2026-09-24,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week during his weekly press call with Nebraska media, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) shared his new legislation to protect farmers’ and ranchers’ intellectual property. The Agricultural Data Privacy Act would require producers’ approval before any company uses their data. Under the act, data could not be sold or otherwise used without farmers’ and ranchers’ express written consent. Ricketts also discussed his letter to the Trump Administration on behalf of Nebraska’s corn and soybean producers. “As technology expands, farmers and ranchers should be able to choose how they share their expertise. It’s important that we protect their intellectual property,” said Senator Ricketts. “They shouldn’t be forced to share their data. My Agricultural Data Privacy Act protects that right.” Watch the video here. TRANSCRIPT: “Agriculture is the heart and soul of what we do in Nebraska. “It is also a knowledge business. “Farmers and ranchers are experts in their fields. “They know what to plant and when. “They know every contour of their land. “Every day, they perform countless calculations to maximize yield, deliver food, and pay their bills. “That expertise represents a lifetime of hard work. “Often, it’s generations of hard-won lessons and insights. “Farmers and ranchers have always been happy to share their insights. “First, they published them in almanacs. “Then, they spoke on radio and wrote into newspapers. “But now, internet-connected devices are changing the game. “Sharing on your own terms is one thing. “But, as technology expands, farmers and ranchers should be able to choose how they share their expertise. “It’s important that we protect their intellectual property. “They shouldn’t be forced to share their data. “My Agricultural Data Privacy Act protects that right. “Data on climate and weather, land, livestock, and yield are valuable. “My bill would require producers’ approval before any company uses their data. “That means this data can’t be sold or otherwise be used without farmers’ and ranchers’ expressed, written consent. “The consent must be obvious and clean – not part of a boiler plate language. “My Agricultural Data Privacy Act is a proven Nebraska solution ready for America. “It’s actually modeled after a recent Nebraska state law. “The state law was the first of its kind in the nation. “Now, it’s being introduced in states like Iowa, Colorado, and Missouri. “My bill would make Nebraska’s law the national standard. “With harvest season beginning, Nebraska producers are busy. “They shouldn’t have to worry about their data being sold while they are working to feed and fuel the world. “In the Senate, I’m fighting for our farmers and ranchers so that they can remain focused on growing the safest and highest quality food in the world. “Our producers also deserve a fair playing field on the international stage. “Tomorrow, the White House will host Xi Jinping. “Ahead of the visit, this morning I sent a letter to the administration advocating for Nebraska’s beef and soybean producers. “For too long, Communist China has undercut U.S. commodity markets. “I urged the administration to hold Communist China accountable to trade commitments and ensure that our producers have fair and reliable market access. “Nebraska farmers and ranchers can compete with anybody in the world. “I will keep fighting to ensure they can do just that.”",1,2026-09-25T10:04:52Z,2026-09-25T10:05:46Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-introduces-legislation-to-protect-farmers-and-ranchers-data/,Ricketts Introduces Legislation to Protect Farmers’ and Ranchers’ Data,2026-09-23,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) introduced the Agricultural Data Privacy Act. This bill would codify that agricultural producers are the sole owners of the data they produce. It would also prohibit companies from using or selling producers’ data without written consent. “Excellent agriculture requires excellent knowledge,” said Senator Ricketts. “Farmers and ranchers who work a lifetime to build their knowledge should own it. It is only fair that we protect their data and intellectual property. This bill would do just that.” The Nebraska Corn Growers Association and the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation endorse this bill. “This is a meaningful step forward for Nebraska farmers. As agriculture continues to adopt new technologies, data has become an essential part of how farmers make decisions and keep our operations running efficiently. This legislation provides clarity and puts common-sense protections in place to ensure farmers maintain ownership and control of their data,” said NeCGA President Michael Dibbern, a farmer from Cairo. “Nebraska Farm Bureau has been a longtime supporter and leader in pushing policy that protects the massive quantity of data modern farms and ranches produce. The protection of this data is vital both economically and from a national security level. We thank Nebraska Senator Pete Ricketts for bringing this conversation to the federal level and we look forward to working with him as this legislation moves forward,” said Mark McHargue, President, Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation. The Agricultural Data Privacy Act would: Make agricultural producers the sole owners of agricultural data originating from their farm, land, device, or equipment. Prohibit companies from using or selling a producer’s agricultural data without written consent from the producer. Apply data privacy protections across six categories of data (agronomic, climate and weather, land, livestock, management, and sustainability data). Ensure producers retain access to their data for future use. Implement the first-of-its-kind national standard to protect producers’ data privacy rights. In April 2026, Governor Pillen signed LB 525, the Agricultural Data Privacy Act, into law. Nebraska became the first state in the nation to implement data privacy protections for producers. Iowa, Colorado, and Missouri have since introduced similar ownership-based legislation modeled after Nebraska’s law. Senator Ricketts’ bill would codify this law at the federal level and make agricultural data privacy protections a national standard.",1,2026-09-24T09:44:48Z,2026-09-24T09:45:52Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-urges-trump-administration-to-support-nebraskas-farmers-and-ranchers-hold-china-accountable-on-trade-agreements/,"Ricketts Urges Trump Administration to Support Nebraska’s Farmers and Ranchers, Hold China Accountable on Trade Agreements",2026-09-23,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) sent a letter to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Jamieson Greer expressing the importance of foreign market access for Nebraska’s beef and soybean producers. The letter was sent ahead of the trade negotiations set to take place during President Trump’s meeting with Xi Jinping this week. It urges the Administration to ensure that Communist China follows through on its purchasing agreements. China is the world’s largest importer of soybeans, importing over 60 percent of all available global stocks. Historically, the United States has been a supplier of choice for the Chinese market. Communist China has failed to follow through on trade commitments with the United States. This uncertainty undercuts market access for American producers. In the 2018 Phase I Agreement, China did not fulfill its soybean purchase commitment. In October 2025, China agreed to purchase 25 million metric tons of soybeans annually. Communist China restored market access to some of our beef processing facilities earlier this year. Many facilities that should have access under the Phase I agreement are still suspended. This letter encourages the administration to expand market access for these agriculture commodities and hold Communist China accountable to its existing trade commitments. The letter reads: “Nebraska is the nation’s fifth-largest agricultural exporter, with nearly $8 billion in agricultural exports last year. We lead the nation in beef and veal exports and are a top exporter of corn, feed grains, and soybeans. Nebraska farmers and ranchers sell these commodities to customers across the globe, including in Communist China. However, unfair trading practices and unreliable market access have particularly impacted Nebraska’s soybean and beef producers.” Full text of the letter: Dear Ambassador Greer, Thank you for your continued work to expand markets for our agricultural producers by securing historic trade deals that ensure fair market access. While American producers have spent decades building markets in Communist China, they continue to face unfair trading practices and uncertainty from Beijing. As bilateral trade discussions continue during Xi Jinping’s visit, I urge the administration to secure additional market access for U.S. agricultural commodities and ensure Communist China upholds its existing commitments. Nebraska is the nation’s fifth-largest agricultural exporter, with nearly $8 billion in agricultural exports last year. We lead the nation in beef and veal exports and are a top exporter of corn, feed grains, and soybeans. Nebraska farmers and ranchers sell these commodities to customers across the globe, including in Communist China. However, unfair trading practices and unreliable market access have particularly impacted Nebraska’s soybean and beef producers. Communist China is the world’s largest importer of soybeans, importing over 60 percent of globally traded soybeans. Historically, the United States has been a supplier of choice for the Chinese market. Under your leadership, the Trump administration has secured new commitments from Beijing to purchase significant quantities of U.S. agricultural products including soybeans. In the past, Beijing has repeatedly failed to follow through on its agreements including under the Phase One Agreement. I urge you to continue monitoring Beijing’s purchases and ensure continued follow-through on their commitments. The May 2026 deal also made notable progress toward restoring market access for U.S. beef, but there is still work to be done. Communist China restored some market access by renewing licenses they allowed to expire for more than 400 U.S. beef facilities. Many facilities are still suspended. Under the Phase One agreement, Beijing agreed to accept food meeting international standards and provide a clear path towards resolution if a particular exporter demonstrated a pattern of failing to meet standards. Communist China has not implemented this portion of the agreement. Instead, Beijing continues to hold U.S. exporters to an unpublished maximum residue limit for certain hormones, and these limits are enforced with an unknown testing regime. Beijing also suspends licenses based on singular instances of non-compliance with these opaque standards. The lack of transparency and inconsistent enforcement has directly harmed Nebraskan producers. The bilateral discussions provide another opportunity to make progress on restoring market access for American beef. Nebraska farmers and ranchers can compete with anyone in the world when given fair and reliable access to foreign markets. Thank you for your continued leadership in securing trade deals that expand opportunities for our producers. More work remains, and I am committed to working with you to give our farmers and ranchers a stable, level playing field to compete and win on.",1,2026-09-24T09:44:48Z,2026-09-24T09:45:52Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=663C3BFC-CE1C-4676-B47D-C7E5948DEFA6,Fischer Statement on Judge Rossiter’s Senior Status Announcement,2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"OMAHA – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) today released the following statement after Judge Robert F. Rossiter announced he will take senior status on the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska: “Judge Robert Rossiter has served Nebraska with distinction in this role for a decade. His tenure on the federal bench has been defined by integrity, professionalism, and a steadfast commitment to the rule of law. Nebraska is better for his dedicated service. I’m proud to call him a friend and wish him all the best.” In 2014, Fischer recommended to former President Obama the nomination of Judge Rossiter. In 2015, Fischer testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee on behalf of his nomination. In 2016, the Senate confirmed Judge Rossiter to serve as the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska. Next steps: Senators Fischer and Pete Ricketts will soon announce the application process for Nebraskans interested in filling Judge Rossiter’s vacancy on the U.S. District Court for the District of Nebraska. ###",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=7414D5E8-789F-4200-9960-A7B07C00CCFD,Fischer Receives Equipment Manufacturers Champion of Industry Award,2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – This week, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) received the Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) Champion of Industry Award for her legislative work supporting American manufacturers. “Manufacturing is a cornerstone of the U.S. workforce and economy,” Fischer said. “I’m honored to receive this award again and proud of what we can accomplish when we work together. I’ll continue fighting in Congress for our manufacturers who lead the world in equipment innovation.” Fischer is the first legislator to receive the Champion of Industry Award twice, having first won the award in 2022. According to AEM, Champion of the Industry award is reserved for one Republican and one Democrat from each legislative chamber who have championed legislation important to equipment manufacturers and have demonstrated a commitment to work across the aisle in support of common objectives. ###",1,2026-09-19T09:11:33Z,2026-09-19T09:12:45Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-supports-ratepayer-protection-act/,Ricketts Supports Ratepayer Protection Act,2026-09-18,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) announced his support for the Ratepayer Protection Act. Senator Ricketts is a cosponsor of this legislation introduced by Senator Jon Husted (R-OH). “Nebraskans should not be responsible for footing the bill of data centers,” said Sen. Ricketts. “Senate Republicans know this and are pushing a bill that passed the House nearly unanimously to protect ratepayers. I am working to protect Nebraskans’ wallets while Democrats blocked this commonsense legislation.” The Ratepayer Protection Act would require data centers to pay the full utility cost needed to serve them. It would prevent rate hikes for ratepayers in communities where data centers are developing. “We need to beat Communist China in the AI race. This bill would strengthen our national security and protect American families’ wallets,” said Ricketts. The House of Representatives passed the Ratepayer Protection Act (H.R. 9340) on September 16, 2026, in an overwhelmingly bipartisan vote of 417-3.",1,2026-09-26T09:43:57Z,2026-09-26T09:44:55Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=6848F6D8-C02B-426F-AC3A-391C2F38E57D,"Fischer Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Improve VA Hiring, Retention of High-Skilled Doctors",2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE), Angus King (I-ME), and Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) introduced the bipartisan VA Salary Cap Waiver Adjustment Act to allow the U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs to issue waivers to VA medical directors allowing them to exceed existing salary caps for the hiring and retention of physicians. “Hiring and retaining skilled physicians is a serious challenge within the VA and it needs to be addressed now,”Fischer said. “Giving the VA flexibility to retain medical professionals will help it compete with private-sector salaries and ensure veterans receive high-quality care. I thank Senators King and Blumenthal for their leadership, and I will continue working to support Nebraska’s veterans.” “Our men and women in uniform served our country with patriotism and without conditions, and they deserve medical attention with a minimum of red tape,” King said.“The VA Salary Cap Waiver Adjustment would allow VA facilities to have a more competitive salary structure that will maintain high levels of care for our veterans and reduce the odds that the VA lose doctors to higher paying opportunities elsewhere.” “VA’s current salary cap is outdated and counterproductive — hindering the Department as it competes with the private sector to hire doctors,” Blumenthal said. “Our bipartisan bill gives VA authority to raise physician salaries. As the cost of living continues to skyrocket, VA needs this authority to recruit and retain the best doctors around to serve veterans.” The VA Salary Cap Waiver Adjustment Act would allow the VA Secretary to issue as many waivers as necessary and give VA medical facilities the ability to compete with the salaries of private healthcare jobs. This legislation is supported by Vietnam Veterans of America, the Veterans of Foreign Wars (VFW), Disabled American Veterans (DAV), the Wounded Warrior Project (WWP), and the American Legion. Background: The United States Congress passed, and the president signed the bipartisan Elizabeth Dole Act in December of 2024. This legislation allowed the VA to exceed salary caps for a limited number of highly trained physicians and for a limited time. Last month, Fischer welcomed VA Secretary Doug Collins to the Omaha VA Medical Center, where they discussed this issue. ###",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=7B6C86C6-8FF9-486B-9FC6-941CD71310D4,"Fischer, Ricketts Applaud Grant Funding for Bellevue Public Schools",2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Funding secured through the Working Families Tax Cuts WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE) released the following joint statement on the U.S. Department of War Education Activity’s (DoWEA) announcement that Bellevue Public Schools will receive a $2.89 million grant from the Fiscal Year 2026 Military-Connected Schools Construction, Modernization, and Facilities Maintenance Grant Program: “This is wonderful news for Bellevue and a great way for the department to return federal investments to military communities. Offutt has brought thousands of families to the region, and this grant will improve the learning environment for their children and all the students in the school system. This is another win from the Working Families Tax Cuts, and we thank the department for selecting Bellevue this year.” This grant funding will support facility improvements benefiting military-connected students and families assigned to Offutt Air Force Base. Bellevue Public Schools will use the grant to execute coordinated infrastructure and facilities maintenance projects across 12 district school sites. The work will address critical requirements in life-safety systems, Americans with Disabilities Act accessibility, health-code compliance, and general facility repair. Background: The Military-Connected Schools Construction, Modernization, and Facilities Maintenance Program was funded in the Working Families Tax Cuts passed by Congress and signed by the president in 2025. Authorized under 10 U.S.C. § 2008, the program permits the Department of War to use funds to support the construction, renovation, repair, or expansion of school facilities serving federally connected students. To be eligible for funding, Local Education Agencies must receive U.S. Department of Education Impact Aid Basic Support Payments and demonstrate a military-connected student enrollment of 15 percent or greater at the targeted school facility. Read more about the grant here.",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-ricketts-addresses-suicide-awareness-month/,Video: Ricketts Addresses Suicide Awareness Month,2026-09-17,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week during his weekly press call with Nebraska media, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) discussed efforts to combat suicide and mental health issues. Ricketts also highlighted Nebraska’s success in lowering suicide rates, and the ways that he is bringing those solutions to the nation. Ricketts has long been an advocate for mental health. As Governor, he helped launch the “Nebraska Needs You” suicide prevention campaign: a statewide Public Service Announcement that educated Nebraskans about suicide warning signs and encouraged those in crisis to seek help. His administration created a behavioral health System of Care designed specifically to help Nebraska’s youth. It also launched the Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide among Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families in Nebraska. In August, Ricketts co-sponsored the Campus Lifeline Act. This bipartisan bill would increase awareness of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and expand resources to students nationwide. It would also increase access to student-led outreach on college campuses. “Our goal is zero deaths from suicide. And until that goal is reached, I will continue to fight to improve mental health and expand resources that help prevent suicide. This month and every month, check on your family, your friends, and your neighbors. Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone. Our loved ones should never have to face them alone.” Watch the video here. TRANSCRIPT: “Over the past month, I had the opportunity to travel the state and talk with many Nebraskans about the issues that matter most to them. “I spent time with families, farmers, ranchers, small business owners, healthcare professionals, first responders, teachers, and students. “A few weeks ago, I hosted my third annual Federal Issues Forum at the Nebraska State Fair. “This year I was joined by special guests USDA Secretary Brooke Rollins and Senator Fischer. “We talked about ways we are working together to support our farmers and ranchers—who feed and fuel our nation. “Earlier this week, I hosted Secretary Markwayne Mullin, a good friend of mine. “I thanked him for FEMA’s support over the past year. “From historic wildfires, severe storms, and tornadoes— FEMA’s response has helped us rebuild in the wake of these disasters. “I also joined Secretary Hegseth at Offutt Airforce Base in August. “We met with our servicemen and women, thanked them for their service, and discussed military readiness opportunities. “One of my favorite parts of my job is getting to travel to communities across the state to spend time with the Nebraskans. “The August State Work Period was a great opportunity to do so. “Now I’m back in Washington, D.C., where I will continue supporting federal policies that protect the Good Life. “September is National Suicide Prevention Month. “This month is an opportunity to recommit to raising awareness, supporting people in crisis, and working together to prevent suicide. “Suicide remains a leading cause of death in the United States. “In 2024, more than 48,000 Americans died by suicide. “And more than 14 million adults had serious thoughts about committing suicide. “We can and must do more to prevent suicide by supporting those struggling with their mental health. “Protecting mental health has always been a major priority of mine. “As Governor, I promoted well-being and access to support across Nebraska. “I ensured every Nebraskan had access to the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline. “This lifeline is a simpler way for Nebraskans experiencing mental health issues to seek immediate help. “We launched the “Nebraska Needs You” suicide prevention campaign: a statewide Public Service Announcement that educated Nebraskans about suicide warning signs and encouraged those in crisis to seek help. “My administration created a behavioral health System of Care designed specifically to help Nebraska’s youth. “We also put suicide prevention tools directly in our schools. “This included training for more than 67,000 educators and school personnel to help students that are struggling. “And we launched the Governor’s Challenge to Prevent Suicide among Service Members, Veterans, and Their Families in Nebraska. “The call to defend our country comes with a cost. “Many of our veterans bear the physical or psychological scars of service. “Working with the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, we encouraged those in need of care to receive help. “Thanks to our work to improve access to and raise awareness of mental health resources, Nebraska ranked fourth in the nation for mental health. “My efforts to prevent suicide and combat our nation’s mental health issues remain a top priority as a United States Senator. “In August, I co-sponsored the Campus Lifeline Act. “This bipartisan bill would increase awareness of the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline and expand resources to students nationwide. “It would also increase access to student-led outreach on college campuses. “Peer-to-Peer engagement plays an important role in the ability to identify students in crisis and connect them with the support they need. “This is important because our nation is experiencing an epidemic of loneliness. “Research has linked loneliness to suicidal thoughts and behaviors. “I introduced the bipartisan Improving Measurements for Loneliness and Isolation Act to help combat this epidemic. “Representative Mike Flood introduced the companion bill in the House. “This bill would establish a working group that would help experts target the root causes of loneliness. “Loneliness and isolation are also serious challenges for many of our nation’s veterans. “Veterans experience a significantly higher suicide rate than non-veteran adults. “We must continue to provide them with the help that they need. “To build on my work as Governor, I introduced the MIND Our Veterans Act. “This bill would ensure that servicemembers receive effective, evidence-based mental health screenings prior to separation from active duty. “Encouragingly, the United States has seen a decrease in suicide deaths. “But that is not enough. “Our goal is zero deaths from suicide. “And until that goal is reached, I will continue to fight to improve mental health and expand resources that help prevent suicide. “This month and every month, check on your family, your friends, and your neighbors. “Suicidal thoughts can affect anyone. “Our loved ones should never have to face them alone.”",1,2026-09-18T09:27:43Z,2026-09-18T09:29:09Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=2EB391A3-DBAB-43C7-9FCC-97108F42C15B,"Fischer Votes to Advance Farm Bill, Secures Year-Round Sale of E15",2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, voted to advance the Farm Bill out of committee. The legislation passed with a vote of 12-11 and includes several of Fischer’s priorities. “We are one step closer to getting a full Farm Bill done for producers in Nebraska, and across the country,” Fischer said. “I am proud to have led the effort to get E15 included in this strong, bipartisan bill, and secure many of my top priorities for the ag industry and rural America. I thank Chairman Boozman for his leadership and unwavering support for farmers and ranchers who are in dire need of a modern Farm Bill.” The Farm Bill passed out of committee today includes several of Fischer’s priorities: Year-Round Sale of E15 Led by Fischer for a decade, this provision allows for the nationwide year-round sale of E15 gasoline. The provision removes the summertime restriction that has been extended through emergency waivers by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) for the last several years. The provision does not require consumers to purchase the gasoline, nor does it require gas stations to install E15 pumps. PRECISE Act The Producing Responsible Energy and Conservation Incentives and Solutions for the Environment (PRECISE) Act provides a suite of financial tools to help farmers and ranchers of all sizes increase their adoption of precision ag technologies through existing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation programs. Read more. PAL Act The Precision Agriculture Loan (PAL) Act creates a program within USDA to provide loan financing to farmers and ranchers interested in purchasing precision agriculture equipment. Read more. LAST ACRE Act The Linking Access to Spur Technology for Agriculture Connectivity in Rural Environments (LAST ACRE) Act creates a new Last Acre Program at the USDA Office of Rural Development to expand network connectivity across farmland and ranchland. Read more. Increasing Tribal Input on Nutrition Act This legislation prevents future food shortages by requiring USDA to incorporate Tribal input in contracting decisions. It also strengthens USDA’s emergency response during disruptions and allows for tribal consultation on nutrition programs in the state. Read more. FENCE Act Championed by Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Fischer co-led the Fencing Eligibility for New Conservation Equipment (FENCE) Act to authorize USDA to include virtual fencing as an option for farmers and ranchers under the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP). Including virtual fencing in the program provides American farmers and ranchers with greater flexibility to rebuild and recover. Read more. Amendment to allow USDA to prevent conservation program dollars from going to foreign adversary companies of concern Gives the department discretion over conservation program funds supporting companies associated with foreign adversaries of the United States. ###",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=E37DACFD-0CC6-4E4F-9315-77F2E39266D9,ICYMI: Fischer Urges Long-Term Funding For Golden Dome,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), joined the Air and Space Forces Association’s 2026 Air, Space & Cyber Conference to discuss why the Golden Dome missile defense shield is urgently needed to bolster America’s homeland defense. Fischer – who chairs the SASC Strategic Forces Subcommittee – was joined by Gen. Gregory Guillot, commander of U.S. Northern Command and North American Aerospace Defense Command, and Gen. Michael Guetlein, director of Golden Dome for America. Watch the full discussion here or by clicking the image above. On congressional support for Golden Dome: “There is still a lot of work that has to be done. We've always had really strong bipartisan support on the Armed Services Committee when it comes to working together to identify threats and meet the needs that the Department and the military have presented to us. … “First of all, we need to get the information that we need, but we also need to have a better understanding of just what Golden Dome involves. “I think a lot of times people forget that in our 2024 NDAA, which came out of the Senate Armed Services Committee, we had a provision to do a study on a layered missile defense system. When President Trump came into the White House, he made it Golden Dome, but it started within Congress. I think that's important to remember because it shows you the level of commitment that's there. “As we move forward, we're going to need better information. We were talking backstage a little bit about [Congressional Budget Office] scores and how unrealistic some of those can be sometimes. I think that's due to the fact that there isn't a clear understanding of this layered defense that we're looking at when it comes to defending our homeland.” On whether the current plans for Golden Dome are ‘good enough’: “Well, right now we aren't defending [our homeland], so that's not good enough. “Sure, we can defend against a massive strategic attack on this country. We can deter. That's our defense. … “We need to present our president with options, and we need to be able to defend our homeland. That's when we have a good enough defense of our homeland, so we don't get into a situation where we're looking at massive destruction.” On Golden Dome’s role in a potential future Pacific conflict: “I personally believe it's better to have friends. It's better to have allies, and we need to make sure they understand that we're there for them as well. When we work together, we're stronger. “I think it's also better that we inform the people of this country to a greater extent about some of the threats we face. “It was very telling when the Chinese balloon came over the country and we saw the reaction of citizens here in the United States. Some of the reactions I heard in Nebraska and elsewhere in the country as I traveled were: ‘When was it detected? Why didn't you just take it down right away? What was on it?’ “… They should also be aware that we are working to make sure this country is defended and that we do have the information. “… I've pushed, as a member of the Armed Services Committee, to declassify some material so people have a better understanding. But we also want people to be assured that this country can and will defend itself. “We will not back off from that. … We continue to look at current assets that we can use, but also at what's ahead for us with new technology. What can we tap into in order to meet what these two generals have discussed as the needs of the country to defend against anyone who has mischief in mind?” On sustained federal funding for Golden Dome: “To sustain a commitment through different administrations, different majorities, and different changes in our country — we've seen fallout from that across the board in the past. “I'm worried about it. I'm worried about it right now, to be honest with you, when it comes to being able to fund what we need. “I'm a supporter of the $1.5 trillion [defense budget]. That's what we need. “I'm also a supporter of it going through regular order, going through an appropriations process, having committee and subcommittee hearings, having transparency, being on the record with your votes, and laying it out so that an administration can then follow it, and you can see that commitment.” On educating the public on why Golden Dome is needed: “We have to have not just the buy-in from Congress to support our military and the defense of this country, but the buy-in from the people of this country as well. “That goes back to having them understand the threats, understand the needs, and understand the resources that are being committed to address all those needs — and having it be transparent and accountable.” ###",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=EC91FC30-FA98-4B29-9D33-ADBAF1C445A3,Fischer Statement on House Passage of Russia Sanctions Bill,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement after House passage of the Lindsey O. Graham Sanctioning Russia and Iran Act: “Russia’s financial backers must pay a price for enabling Putin’s barbaric atrocities against sovereign Ukraine. I was proud to support this bill in the Senate and encouraged to see it pass the House. Now that it will soon become law, we can finally inflict decisive economic pressure on Putin’s lifeline and work toward lasting peace.” Background Fischer was an original cosponsor when the late Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) first introduced this legislation with Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) in 2025. She was also an original cosponsor of the updated version when Senator Darline Graham (R-SC) introduced it on July 16, 2026. On July 22, 2026, Fischer spoke on the Senate floor in support of the bill to tout its mandatory sanctions on Russia’s political leadership, financial institutions, and energy sector — which will put economic pressure on Moscow to end Vladimir Putin’s illegal war against Ukraine. After championing the bill, Fischer applauded its passage by the full Senate in August. ###",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/photos-ricketts-hosts-secretary-mullin-in-nebraska/,PHOTOS: Ricketts Hosts Secretary Mullin in Nebraska,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Monday, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) welcomed Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Markwayne Mullin to Nebraska. Ricketts and Mullin hosted a roundtable with the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other members of the community who aided inrecovery efforts following this year’s wildfires, tornadoes, and severe storms. This included the Omaha Fire Department and Omaha Public Power District. “We were glad to have my friend and DHS Secretary, Markwayne Mullin, in Nebraska today. This year has been a hard year for our state. Historic wildfires, tornadoes, and severe storms have damaged many communities. Nebraskans are resilient and have worked together to recover and rebuild. Support from FEMA has helped in this process,” said Ricketts. Senator Ricketts and Secretary Mullin hosted FEMA roundtable. Ricketts and Mullin also met with the family of Sarah Root. In 2016, Sarah was struck and killed by an illegal immigrant from Honduras who was driving drunk. Sarah had just graduated from Bellevue University. In March 2025, her killer was found, extradited to the U.S., and held accountable for taking her life. Following the meeting, Sarah’s family joined Ricketts and Mullin for a press conference in honor of their daughter. “It’s been over ten years since Sarah Root’s life was tragically taken. For nine years, her killer evaded law enforcement. This year, her family finally got the justice they deserved,” said Ricketts. “We should be very proud of our law enforcement for all the work they did to bring her killer back to the U.S. to face American justice.” Senator Ricketts and Secretary Mullin joined a press conference in honor of Sarah Root.",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-discusses-future-of-us-china-competition-at-hudson-institute/,Ricketts Discusses Future of US-China Competition at Hudson Institute,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) joined the Hudson Institute for a conversation on the future of US-China competition. The discussion highlighted Ricketts’ efforts to ensure U.S. leadership in the global tech race, protect American agriculture against China’s malign actions, and strengthen our national security. **Click here or above to watch Senator Ricketts’ conversation.** Ricketts has long championed efforts to maintain U.S. leadership and protect Americans against Communist China:",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-statement-on-farm-bill-passing-senate-ag-committee/,Ricketts Statement on Farm Bill Passing Senate Ag Committee,2026-09-16,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) released the following statement after Senate Ag Committee Republicans passed the Farm Bill out of committee: “Today, Senate Ag Committee Republicans passed the Farm Bill out of committee. It’s disappointing that Democrats voted against it. The Farm Bill is important to supporting our farmers and ranchers. It includes my provisions that will secure nationwide E15, support Nebraska’s recovery efforts, and prevent Communist China from buying American farmland.",1,2026-09-17T09:52:05Z,2026-09-17T09:53:00Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=312689DB-277E-4BAB-9330-2CB267752079,"ICYMI: Fischer Makes Case for Strong, Modern U.S. Nuclear Deterrent on Atlantic Council Podcast",2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC), joined the Atlantic Council’s “So What’s the Strategy?” podcast to share her vision for strengthening America’s nuclear deterrent amid growing threats from China and Russia. During the conversation, Fischer – who chairs the SASC Strategic Forces Subcommittee – outlined the need to modernize U.S. nuclear forces, maintain a credible nuclear triad, and ensure America has the capabilities necessary to deter its adversaries and protect its allies. Watch the full discussion here or by clicking the image above. On the cost of nuclear modernization: “Why spend so much? What’s our security worth? That’s what it boils down to. “What risks are we willing to take as a country, as a world, if the United States doesn’t follow through and continue our modernization? Can we meet those threats? “It’s a very small percentage of our defense spending in this country. But as I said earlier, it is the bedrock of our security. And it’s not just for us. We also offer a secure nuclear umbrella for our allies and partners. That keeps the world safer. We don’t see nuclear proliferation around the world because of that. It’s called deterrence for a reason. “We don’t ever want to have to use a nuclear weapon, but our adversaries need to know that we have a safe, credible, and secure triad, and we will use it if it becomes necessary.” On nuclear deterrence and assurance: “We always want our adversaries—we want everyone—to wake up every morning and say, ‘Not today. We are not going to do anything against the United States. Not today. Too risky.’” On the type of nuclear capabilities the U.S. needs: “I believe we have certain capabilities that are the base of our deterrence. Whether that’s our ICBMs—the Sentinel program—that’s a program that has to happen. It has had some bumps in the road, but we have General White now … to handle that. We established that position to make sure whoever was in charge of that program, along with the bombers, would have a direct line to the secretary and could make things happen faster. “The Sentinel program is obviously our land-based leg. That has to remain strong. It’s going to give the president more options once it is installed and able to perform. … “Right now … we have a contract for 100 B-21 bombers. We’ve had every STRATCOM commander say that’s not enough. And it’s not enough. Whether it’s 150 or, now they’re talking about 200, that’s another important leg of the triad. “These bombers have to cover not just STRATCOM’s needs but also [PACOM’s] needs in a more conventional sense because of the capabilities they have. “Then, when we look at our subs, we’re really focused on the Columbia class to make sure that moves ahead. There’s a good argument to be made—and I think we ought to investigate it—that we should probably have more when you look at the maintenance required. That applies to the bombers as well. “When you look at maintenance time, especially on submarines, and we’re facing two peer adversaries who also have triads—land-based missiles, bombers, and subs—we need to make sure that’s covered. “We need more shipbuilding. We need to be able to look at new, more regional options that a president could tap into. “We heard many years ago in the Senate about Russia’s policy to ‘escalate to de-escalate.’ They never thought, with the size of the weapons the United States has, that we would ever respond. It lowered the credibility of our deterrence. … “We want to make sure we have what we need to offer the president of the United States options that keep this country and our allies safe.” On the president’s $1.5 trillion defense budget request: “I applaud the president for putting that number forward. I think it’s a firm number that addresses many of the threats we have. “You can look at things like hypersonics. You can look at things like Golden Dome, which I would point out we were able to get into the 2024 NDAA for FY 2025—the framework for the idea that we needed this layered defense system with radars, satellites, and interceptors. “That came from within Congress. It came from a bipartisan group of senators. I’m very pleased the president picked up on that and named it Golden Dome. “That is what we need to recognize the threats to our homeland. The missile defense system we need for this country has to be bolstered, and having Golden Dome move forward will help with that. “We had $24 billion … last year. That’s a start, but it’s going to take sustained commitment and appropriations to get that done.” “…To me, the lack of [consistent] funding and the lack of certainty are concerns. “…We’re looking at CRs, which are devastating to our defense and national security. “It’s important that we focus on regular order and on working together again in a bipartisan way to make sure we can fund what we need … to keep this country safe.” On arms control: “I think arms control is important… But let’s look at history. “Russia has never been steady in its support of any treaty… They ignore it or they pull out. They pulled out of New START in 2023… “China has never participated in any talks and, as far as I know, publicly has never given any indication that they would participate in talks. “In fact, I was with a small group of senators the week before President Trump went to China, and we met with a number of officials. I asked about arms control. I think that might have thrown them a little bit, but I asked about it. “Their idea of arms control is that the United States should totally get rid of what we have, and then they’ll be happy to talk. Why would we do that? We would make ourselves vulnerable. “So I believe the strongest position we can take is to continue to strengthen what we need to meet the threats. “Hopefully, we can engage in arms control, but it has to be with Russia and China. It can’t just be with one or the other because all that does is weaken us.” “… If the Chinese didn’t want to enter into discussions with Russia and the United States, they still need to enter into discussions with us and have those two tracks move side by side. “But I think having all three together would be the best way to have a solid arms control treaty come out of it. I don’t see that happening.” On the credibility of the U.S. nuclear umbrella for our allies: “I think it’s extremely important for the security not just of our country, but around the world, that we continue to provide that umbrella to our allies. “Let’s not forget that NATO is a nuclear alliance. That’s important for our allies to know—that we will continue to provide that. “It’s important that our EUCOM commander is also the Supreme Allied Commander Europe because of that nuclear component in NATO. “But I also hope it emboldens our allies to step forward, which they are doing in NATO and Europe, and provide more for their own security in their regions. “It’s difficult for the United States. It’s expensive for the United States to be everywhere. “So, when we have our allies in Europe and our partners and friends in the Pacific willing to work with us to provide security in those regions, that only makes America stronger and more secure. “I believe we have to continue developing and strengthening those relationships.” ###",1,2026-09-04T09:19:37Z,2026-09-04T09:20:58Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=6E06DD17-45BB-44FA-B88B-B2B55F6F70BA,"After Fischer Push, NTIA Announces New Round of Broadband Funding",2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), a senior member of the Senate Commerce Committee, issued the following statement after the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA) announced another round of Broadband Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) Program funding: “The BEAD program is essential to getting all of Nebraska connected to broadband. I have worked for years to help build this program into something that can truly help rural areas. I’m thankful NTIA answered our call to make additional funding available to serve unconnected locations. We need to keep these funds working for Nebraskans, and I will be working hard to allow unobligated BEAD funding to be utilized for other critical purposes like precision ag technologies.” In the announcement, NTIA states this round of funding is intended to serve locations that remain unserved after the initial deployment round. In the initial deployment, only around $44.5 million of Nebraska’s allocation was spent, leaving approximately $340 million to be spent. Fischer’s work: NTIA’s announcement comes after Fischer’s numerous letters and close work with the U.S. Department of Commerce to deploy additional funding: In March of this year, Fischer sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Commerce Howard Lutnick and Assistant Secretary Arielle Roth urging them to make additional BEAD funding available to serve locations that Nebraska’s final plan did not capture. In April of this year, Fischer questioned Secretary Lutnick on his plans to deploy the remaining $340 million in BEAD funds allocated to Nebraska. Fischer also met with Assistant Secretary Roth in her Washington, D.C. office earlier this year to discuss BEAD funding. In December of 2025, Fischer sent a letter to Assistant Secretary Roth advocating for NTIA to affirm precision ag as an option for unobligated BEAD funds. Also in December of 2025, Fischer sent a letter to Secretary Roth urging the administration to preserve states’ ability to use their non-deployment BEAD Program funds consistent with congressional intent and the bipartisan infrastructure law. See NTIA’s announcement here. ###",1,2026-09-04T09:19:37Z,2026-09-04T09:20:58Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-third-annual-federal-issues-forum-highlights-his-work-to-support-nebraska-producers/,Ricketts’ Third Annual Federal Issues Forum Highlights His Work to Support Nebraska Producers,2026-09-03,2026,2026-09,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"GRAND ISLAND, NE – This week, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) hosted his third Federal Issues Forum at the Nebraska State Fair. The event included a legislative update from Senator Ricketts and a panel discussion on federal issues facing Nebraskans. “Nebraska is an Ag State,” said Senator Ricketts. “Agriculture is more than what we do, it’s our way of life. I am grateful for Secretary Rollins and Senator Fischer for joining me to share how we are working together to support our agriculture community. Nebraska producers are the best in the business. I will continue working to deliver policies that put our farmers and ranchers first.” The event took place in the Aurora Cooperative Pavilion and included a panel discussion and Q&A session with panelists U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins and U.S. Senator for Nebraska Deb Fischer (R-NE). WATCH: Highlights of Senator Ricketts’ Third Annual Federal Issues Forum During the event, Ricketts highlighted his work to protect the Good Life for every Nebraskan. Attendees also received a copy of the Ricketts Review. This report highlights Senator Ricketts’ track record of delivering wins for Nebraska families, consumers, and producers. WATCH: Senator Ricketts shares legislative wins for Nebraskans You can view the Ricketts Review here.",1,2026-09-04T09:19:37Z,2026-09-04T09:20:58Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=7AD3BF0B-FF46-4EA3-8810-DC8737DFF781,Fischer in the Lincoln Journal Star: Take advantage of this real solution to paid family leave,2026-08-24,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"In case you missed it: Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) penned an op-ed in the Lincoln Journal Star encouraging Nebraskans to capitalize on her Paid Family and Medical Leave Tax Credit, made permanent through the Working Families Tax Cuts. Fischer also highlights guidance recently released from the U.S. Department of Treasury on how business owners can claim this credit to offer paid leave to more employees. Read the op-ed here or below. Imagine working for a mom-and-pop store in the Haymarket and you’re expecting a new baby or need to care for a sick family member. Your boss would like to offer you paid leave to care for your family, but as a small business, the margins are thin. Your boss wants to do the right thing, but they can’t afford it. This had been the reality for small business owners and their employees for decades — until 2017 when I created the nation’s first-ever paid family and medical leave policy. My Paid Family and Medical Leave Tax Credit allows employers to claim a general business tax credit covering up to 25% of the wages they pay employees who are out on parental or family medical leave. Importantly, this is not a government mandate. It is a voluntary incentive. I designed the credit with an income cap to ensure that it helps the workers who need it the most: middle-income and hourly workers. That cap adjusts every year. And the more generous the employer is, the more help they get. Last year, through the Working Families Tax Cuts passed by Congress, we made my tax credit permanent. Now, businesses of all sizes can build paid leave into long-term benefit plans without wondering whether the incentive will disappear. Washington should make it easier — not harder — for a small business to stand by an employee when their family needs them most. A tax credit only helps if employers know it exists and apply for it. That’s why, this year, I used my role on the Senate Appropriations Committee to secure $1 million in federal funds for the U.S. Small Business Administration to help increase awareness of the credit and help employers know how to utilize it. And this month, the U.S. Treasury issued new guidance showing employers how to claim the credit. This guidance explains additional methods that businesses can receive a tax break if they offer this paid leave to their employees. My original tax credit was based on wages employers pay employees while on leave. Through the Working Families Tax Cuts, I expanded this to also cover insurance policies purchased by employers to cover paid medical and family leave. We are making it even more attainable for businesses of all sizes to offer this important benefit to workers. I am grateful to Secretary Scott Bessent for working closely with me on this. You can find the guidance at the following link: https://www.irs.gov/pub/irs-drop/n-26-28.pdf. Now, we need to make sure employers know this credit is available. If you own a business, see whether you qualify. If you work for one, make sure your employer knows this option exists. No small business owner should have to choose between doing the right thing for their employee and keeping their storefront open. And no worker should be forced to choose between receiving a paycheck and taking care of their family. This tax credit helps ensure they don’t have to. ###",1,2026-08-25T05:31:37Z,2026-08-25T05:33:09Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-issues-statement-in-support-of-nebraska-farmers-and-ranchers/,Ricketts Issues Statement in Support of Nebraska Farmers and Ranchers,2026-08-21,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"Omaha, Nebraska. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) issued the following statement in support of Nebraska farmers and ranchers: “I appreciate the Administration’s work to lower grocery prices. Short term policy shifts do not equal long term solutions. Flooding the market with lower quality beef compromises Nebraska farmers and ranchers. They should be enabled to grow herd sizes and meet consumer demand.”",1,2026-08-22T05:24:59Z,2026-08-22T05:26:16Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=833716C4-D01A-403E-BD01-FF1D84CC6663,Fischer Welcomes VA Secretary in Omaha,2026-08-20,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"OMAHA – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) joined U.S. Secretary of Veterans Affairs Doug Collins and Rep. Don Bacon (NE-02) for a tour of the Omaha VA Medical Center and the Sarpy County VA Clinic. “Great day in Omaha with Secretary Collins and Rep. Bacon,” Fischer said. “The secretary saw firsthand the hard work being done by our local VA providers and offered his appreciation to both the staff and veterans he had the pleasure of meeting. I thank Secretary Collins for his support of our nation’s veterans and look forward to continuing to work with him.” Secretary Collins took time to recognize top-performing VA employees for their outstanding commitment to providing world-class care for veterans in Omaha and the surrounding area. Fischer greets Secretary Collins at the Omaha VA Medical Center, August 19, 2026 (Office of Senator Fischer) Fischer, Collins, Bacon, and leadership of the Omaha VA Medical Center, August 19, 2026 (Office of Senator Fischer) Fischer, Collins, Bacon, and leadership of the Sarpy County VA Clinic, August 19, 2026 (Office of Senator Fischer) ###",1,2026-08-21T05:30:57Z,2026-08-21T05:32:22Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=BEB10BC9-60DA-4136-8CD2-B13827B51865,Fischer Introduces Legislation Addressing Excessive Trucking Lawsuits,2026-08-20,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) has introduced the Uniform Vehicle Safety Standards Act to ensure federal vehicle safety standards set by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration are the nationwide standards. This legislation comes amid an increase in costly civil lawsuits where damages are awarded based on arbitrary standards, even when vehicles and equipment are compliant with federal standards. This has resulted in an increase in insurance costs and higher trucking prices, which are passed on to consumers. “These decisions are not being driven by the law, and we need to set the record straight,” Fischer said. “Federal standards are drafted for the safety of drivers and others on the road. These regulations should be consistent across states, and consumers should not be forced to pay more because of unfair practices that raise transportation costs.” The Uniform Vehicle Safety Standards Act would prevent litigation when the safety component at question is fully compliant with Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards (FMVSS). Plaintiffs could still bring claims for manufacturing defects, failure to meet FMVSS, breach of warranty, or other independent legal violations. Representative Mike Flood (NE-01) has introduced companion legislation in the U.S. House of Representatives. The bill is supported by the American Trucking Associations, the Alliance for Automotive Innovation, the International Foodservice Distributors Association, the Truck Trailer Manufacturers Association, the Truckload Carriers Association, the Truck Renting and Leasing Association, American Property Casualty Insurance Association, the American Bus Association, the National Tank Truck Carriers, the National Association of Trailer Manufacturers, the National Motor Freight Traffic Association, the National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, the Transportation Intermediaries Association, the Nebraska Trucking Association, Werner Enterprises, and Timpte. Alex Rosen, Senior Vice President, American Trucking Associations, said, “When NHTSA establishes a federal safety standard, manufacturers and motor carriers should be able to rely on that determination. Allowing lawsuits to effectively impose equipment mandates that diverge from federal requirements creates uncertainty, drives up costs, and threatens the uniformity that keeps our nation's supply chain moving safely and efficiently. The trucking industry applauds Senator Fischer for introducing this commonsense legislation to affirm NHTSA’s role as the nation's expert regulator for motor vehicle safety standards. If NHTSA, after evaluating the available evidence through its rulemaking process, determines that a particular standard strikes the appropriate balance to maximize motor vehicle safety, that expert determination should carry greater weight than the hindsight judgments advanced by profit-seeking trial attorneys in individual courtrooms.” Alliance for Automotive Innovation said, “This is a commonsense bill from Sen. Fischer that makes it clear: if automakers meet the government's mandatory Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards -- and all automakers do -- then they shouldn't also be targeted with lawsuits and litigation.” Kent Grisham, President and CEO, Nebraska Trucking Association, said, “Senator Fischer’s record of leadership on critical transportation issues is legendary. She is a true hero to trucking. The Uniform Vehicle Safety Standards Act is another example of her commitment to maintaining a strong transportation network and ensuring that carriers can continue investing in the people, equipment, and technologies that improve roadway safety. Nebraska’s trucking industry plays a vital role in supporting agriculture, manufacturing, retail, construction, and virtually every sector of our state’s economy. Senator Fischer knows that when manufacturers and operators have demonstrably adhered to all applicable laws, regulations, and recognized safety practices, they should not face unreasonable liability based on hindsight or inconsistent standards imposed after the fact. Passing this legislation will establish safeguards against such nonsense in our courts.” Ryan Streblow, President and CEO, National Tank Truck Carriers, said, “NTTC strongly supports the Uniform Vehicle Safety Standards Act, and commends Senator Fischer and Representative Flood for their leadership to provide much needed relief to the commercial trucking industry - the backbone of the American economy,"" said Ryan Streblow, President & CEO of National Tank Truck Carriers. ""The American motoring public rightfully expects truck manufacturers to be built to high federal safety standards, but it is unreasonable to hold any industry accountable to 50 standards created through 50 state courts. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration produces world-leading safety regulations, and state suits should not be allowed to supplant federal standards.” Jake Jacoby, President and CEO, Truck Renting and Leasing Association, said, “TRALA strongly supports the Uniform Vehicle Safety Standards Act, which will protect truck rental and leasing companies from unreasonable lawsuits involving vehicles that fully comply with federal safety standards. This legislation will preserve a consistent national framework, reduce costly litigation, and prevent optional safety equipment from being treated as mandatory through state-by-state court decisions.” Jim Mullen, President, Truckload Carriers Association, said, “The Truckload Carriers Association and its membership proudly support the Uniform Vehicle Safety Standards Act, as it reinforces the principle that there should be one national standard for vehicle safety. Motor carriers that comply with federally established safety requirements should not be subjected to inconsistent lawsuits seeking to impose standards beyond those adopted by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Recent litigation in the trucking industry has demonstrated the importance of protecting companies that comply with federal safety regulations, providing greater certainty for businesses operating across state lines. By reducing unnecessary litigation costs and preventing conflicting court decisions, this legislation strengthens interstate commerce while preserving the integrity of the federal vehicle safety framework. The truckload industry believes safety is best advanced through clear, uniform federal standards that apply consistently nationwide, rather than through a patchwork of differing legal expectations imposed through litigation.” Fred Ferguson, President and CEO, American Bus Association, said, “Motorcoaches are interstate by nature, and our industry depends on clear, consistent federal vehicle safety standards. Operators and manufacturers should be held to the rigorous safety requirements established by NHTSA, but they should not face a patchwork of after-the-fact lawsuits that effectively impose different vehicle equipment standards from one state to the next. The Uniform Vehicle Safety Standards Act provides needed certainty while preserving NHTSA’s central role in establishing and updating vehicle safety standards. The American Bus Association thanks Congressman Flood and Senator Fischer for their leadership and is proud to support this commonsense legislation. Jimi Grande, Senior Vice President of Federal and Political Affairs, National Association of Mutual Insurance Companies, said, “Legal system abuse, including excessive litigation and nuclear verdicts, is making things more expensive across the economy for every American. NAMIC applauds Congressman Flood and Senator Fischer for leading on this important issue to provide much needed legal certainty for truckers, insurers, and the consumers who rely on them.” Chris Burroughs, President and CEO, Transportation Intermediaries Association, said, “We are pleased to support this bill which will close this loophole and ensure that standards are set at the federal level, providing much-needed certainty and enhancing safety. Certainty is essential to keeping America’s roads safe, and under the current legal framework, motor vehicle manufacturers remain exposed to civil liability at the state level even if they have met the applicable federal safety standards.” Mala Parker, Senior Vice President of Government and Public Affairs, International Foodservice Distributors Association, said, “IFDA thanks Senator Fischer and Representative Flood for introducing the Uniform Vehicle Safety Standards Act. Foodservice distributors operate some of the largest commercial fleets in the country and invest heavily to ensure federal motor vehicle safety requirements are met. This bill gives our industry much needed legal certainty by creating uniformity among safety requirements while keeping our nation’s roads safe."" Debbie Sparks, Executive Director, said, National Motor Freight Traffic Association, said, “NMFTA supports the Uniform Vehicle Safety Standards Act of 2026. A single, uniform federal safety standard, rather than a patchwork of common law verdicts second guessing manufacturers who met that standard in good faith, restores consistency to how motor vehicle safety compliance is treated across state lines. We appreciate Senator Fischer and Congressman Flood's attention to this issue.” Nathan Meisgeier, President and Chief Legal Officer, Werner Enterprises, said, “By establishing a uniform standard, this legislation shields carriers from frivolous lawsuits while ensuring motor vehicle manufacturing upholds established, federally mandated safety requirements for all drivers.” ###",1,2026-08-21T05:30:57Z,2026-08-21T05:32:22Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=D804F6DE-33CE-4B9A-A602-6D62D1DE935B,Fischer Applauds USDA Announcement of $37M for Agricultural Research Service Facility at UNL,2026-08-19,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Since 2021, Fischer has secured over $70 million to fund ARS facility LINCOLN – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) released the following statement on the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) announcement that the agency will direct $37 millionto the construction of the Agricultural Research Service (ARS) facility at the University of Nebraska—Lincoln’s (UNL) Innovation Campus: “This is great news for UNL and the future of the ARS facility. Over the years, I have worked hard to secure over $70 million dollars in federal investments for this project. I thank Secretary Brooke Rollins and Undersecretary Scott Hutchins for recognizing the importance of funding this facility. I look forward to continuing to work to get this project fully finished.” Fischer’s work to fund the ARS facility at UNL: Fischer has helped secure over $70 million for this project:",1,2026-08-20T05:28:41Z,2026-08-20T05:29:58Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-introduces-legislation-to-improve-wildfire-response-efforts/,Ricketts Introduces Legislation to Improve Wildfire Response Efforts,2026-08-13,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. –U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) recently introduced the Pilot for Regional Emergency Prepositioning of Aerial Resources and Equipment (PREPARE) Act. This legislation would establish prepositioned aerial resources during early-season conditions. It would increase preparedness and improve firefighting response efforts. “When it comes to wildfires, response time matters,” said Senator Ricketts. “We must do more to protect our communities, ranches, and farms. Nebraska experienced devastating losses due to historic wildfires this year. This legislation would ensure aerial firefighting resources are ready to respond before fire strikes. It would limit response time and prevent damages to our farms, livestock, and communities. I will continue to fight to protect Nebraskans.” The PREPARE Act would establish a pilot program for seasonal prepositioning protocols. This includes aerial suppression resources for early-season fine fuel wildland fires. The program would be directed at improving wildfire management response efforts. This would apply to Nebraska, Colorado, Kansas, South Dakota, and Wyoming. The Nebraska Forest Service endorsed this legislation. “Over the past several years, Nebraska has experienced some of the most challenging wildfire seasons in recent history,” said John Erixson, Nebraska State Forester. “Early-season grassfires, prolonged drought, and extreme fire weather have demonstrated that wildfires no longer respect traditional fire seasons. The PREPARE Act recognizes this reality by helping ensure aerial firefighting resources can be strategically positioned where they are needed most before conditions become critical. Investing in preparedness is one of the most effective ways to protect lives, communities, working lands, and natural resources.” Recently, Senator Ricketts visited Fort Robinson State Park. He saw the wildfire damage that devastated Nebraska this year. He also met with the Crawford Volunteer Fire Department. He took the opportunity to thank firefighters for protecting our communities. They discussed opportunities to work together to provide the resources they need. Watch highlights of Senator Ricketts’ visit here. Background: In early 2026, Nebraska experienced record-breaking wildfires—the worst we have seen in our state’s history. These devastating fires destroyed over a million acres of farmland in Nebraska.",1,2026-08-14T06:13:05Z,2026-08-14T06:14:08Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-supports-the-protect-college-sports-act/,Ricketts Supports the Protect College Sports Act,2026-08-13,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Recently, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) joined the Protect College Sports Act. This legislation would end the disorder facing college athletics by establishing nationwide standards for name, image, and likeness (NIL), transfers, eligibility, and enforcement. “The Protect College Sports Act is a good step forward for athletics,” said Senator Ricketts. “This bipartisan bill addresses issues that were causing chaos in college sports, like eligibility requirements and NIL. These improvements will better support student athletes while preserving the tradition of college sports.” In addition to Senator Ricketts, this bipartisan legislation is supported by Senators Cruz (R-TX), Cantwell (D-WA), Schmitt (R-MO), Coons (D-DE), Capito (R-WV), Hickenlooper (D-CO), and Welch (D-VT). A national survey found that 81% of Americans believe the Protect College Sports Act would do more to protect student-athletes and preserve women’s and Olympic sports programs. With the recent endorsement from the Big Ten, the Protect College Sports Act now has the backing of 28 collegiate athletic conferences, more than 370 colleges and universities across all 50 states and Washington, D.C, historically black colleges and universities, hundreds of thousands of student athletes, and President Trump. To view a fact sheet on the legislation, click HERE.",1,2026-08-14T06:13:05Z,2026-08-14T06:14:08Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=EB40426C-38CC-4589-B638-825BF0AC6DA3,ICYMI: Fischer Speaks at North Platte Airport Terminal Ribbon Cutting After Securing $17M for Project,2026-08-12,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"NORTH PLATTE – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) spoke Monday at the ribbon cutting ceremony for the North Platte Airport’s new passenger terminal. Fischer helped secure $10 million through the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and $7 million though her role on the Senate Appropriations Committee for the project. Fischer joins the ribbon cutting of the new North Platte Airport Terminal, August 10, 2026 (Office of Senator Deb Fischer) See more from the North Platte Post and KNOP News2. ###",1,2026-08-13T06:17:16Z,2026-08-13T06:18:13Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-leads-nebraska-delegation-letter-supporting-usmca/,Ricketts Leads Nebraska Delegation Letter Supporting USMCA,2026-08-11,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"On Friday, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) led the Nebraska congressional delegation in sending a letter to the United States Trade Representative (USTR) Ambassador Greer expressing support for the United States-Mexico-Canada Trade Agreement (USMCA). USMCA has led to increased market access and certainty for Nebraska farmers, ranchers, and businesses. “As Mexico and Canada are Nebraska’s two largest export markets, USMCA is important for thestate’s economy. Over the past three decades, farmers, ranchers, and business owners across thestate have built lasting relationships with both countries, benefiting from the improved businessenvironment created by the negotiation of USMCA. The agreement increased market access forthe Nebraska’s corn, soybeans, beef, pork, agricultural machinery, steel, pharmaceuticals, ethanol, and other products, resulting in nearly $10 billion in agricultural exports from Nebraska to Mexico and Canada. In 2025, Nebraska exports included $550 million in corn, $373 million in agricultural machinery, and $164 million in autos and auto parts,” the delegation wrote. The letter was signed by Senators Pete Ricketts and Deb Fischer and Representatives Mike Flood, Don Bacon, and Adrian Smith. Read the full letter here and below: Dear Ambassador Greer, Thank you for your continued efforts to secure trade agreements that level the playing field forNebraska farmers, ranchers, and businesses. The United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement(USMCA) has delivered meaningful results for Nebraska, and this Joint Review provides animportant opportunity to strengthen the agreement by addressing concerns with market access,regulatory certainty, and market stability. As Mexico and Canada are Nebraska’s two largest export markets, USMCA is important for thestate’s economy. Over the past three decades, farmers, ranchers, and business owners across thestate have built lasting relationships with both countries, benefiting from the improved businessenvironment created by the negotiation of USMCA. The agreement increased market access forthe Nebraska’s corn, soybeans, beef, pork, agricultural machinery, steel, pharmaceuticals, ethanol, and other products, resulting in nearly $10 billion in agricultural exports from Nebraska to Mexico and Canada. In 2025, Nebraska exports included $550 million in corn, $373 million in agricultural machinery, and $164 million in autos and auto parts. The Joint Review offers an opportunity to expand on the benefits of USMCA through resolvingoutstanding trade irritants. This includes through addressing punitive application of retroactivevalue-added taxes on U.S. products, ensuring Mexico recommits to long-term access for biotechagricultural products, and leveling the playing field for U.S. dairy producers through Canada’smanagement of the tariff rate quota for dairy products. Further, we urge you to work with Mexico and Canada to develop coordinated policies to ensure that these markets are not utilized by Communist China to circumvent U.S. trade policy and economic interests. The USMCA is the gold standard for international trade agreements, and a productive Joint Review will ensure that legacy continues. We appreciate your ongoing efforts and stand ready tosupport you in expanding fair, stable markets for Nebraska’s world-leading products.",1,2026-08-12T06:18:38Z,2026-08-12T06:20:33Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-op-ed-match-act-can-protect-americas-ai-lead-from-china/,Ricketts Op-Ed: MATCH Act Can Protect America’s AI Lead from China,2026-08-11,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"The following op-ed by U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and U.S. Senator Andy Kim (D-NJ) was originally published by the Washington Times on August 10, 2026. Industry and government officials widely believed that American frontier models were six months ahead of Chinese competitors. That lead shrank last month when the China-based Moonshot AIreleased its new model Kimi K3. This Chinese model is competitive with America’s leading artificial intelligence models by some measures. It also could cost 40% less to run. How we respond to this development will shape American competitiveness for decades to come. A world in which China dominates AI would threaten our security and prosperity. The Chinese Communist Party (CCP) has closed the AI gap with the help of illicit activities, including distillation attacks and chip smuggling. Beijing uses these unethical methods because it lacks access to the advanced compute necessary to train and run AI models effectively. Moonshot AI even admitted that it doesn’t have enough advanced compute to serve Kimi K3 to customers at scale. Advanced compute requires memory and logic “chips.” These cannot be made without complex semiconductor manufacturing equipment (SME). The CCP is completely reliant on foreign SME, making it its Achilles’ heel. Beijing must be denied access to critical SMEs. We introduced the Multilateral Alignment of Technology Controls on Hardware (MATCH) Act to preserve that chokepoint. SME makes advanced chips possible. It consists of lithography machines and hundreds of etch tools, testing systems and specialized chemicals. A handful of American, Dutch and Japanese firms almost exclusively control SME production. Despite spending billions trying, Beijing still can’t replicate these tools. But our leverage is slipping away — and the stakes aren’t just economic. They directly affect American security and values. Beijing wants to dominate AI. The CCP believes that it can use AI to cancel out America’s military and innovation edge. The Chinese military is already testing AI-directed drone swarms and cyber operations. The CCP regularly uses AI to surveil its own people. Concerningly, there is no clean line between civilian and military use by the CCP. Under Beijing’s military-civil fusion strategy, equipment sold to a “civilian” chip factory can be redirected to a military-linked user. This gives CCP control over the tech stack — a fundamental threat to our national security. Since the first Trump administration, we have sought to keep this critical technology away from Chinese chipmakers. That effort continues to be hindered by the same problem: American export controls stop at our borders but the equipment does not. American companies are barred from selling to these firms, but to date, good-faith efforts to get our allies to match this approach have fallen short. This hurts American businesses, workers and security. The bipartisan MATCH Act is the strongest attempt to fix this. The idea is simple: Don’t let the CCP buy tools that it can’t yet build at scale. Our bill designates China’s top chipmakers — along with their subsidiaries and their affiliates — as off-limits. The MATCH Act wouldn’t just limit equipment sales. It would also limit the maintenance, calibration and software updates that keep that equipment running. Without original parts and expert servicing, China’s imported machines would slowly degrade and fail. Replacing these foreign imports with unproven domestic copies would be difficult and costly to build. Beijing would be forced to rebuild the world’s most complex supply chain from scratch, buying the U.S. and allies years to stay ahead in the global tech race. Our bill leads with diplomacy. We want to negotiate with our allies and provide them a real but reasonable timeframe to match our controls. But if they are unable to do so, U.S. jurisdiction would automatically extend to cover their equipment. Washington has been negotiating with the Netherlands, Japan and other allied toolmaking countries since 2022. But these talks have left concerning gaps and need renewed momentum. Beijing isn’t waiting for us to agree. A firm deadline will give the diplomacy urgency. The MATCH Act would also support American business and workers and create a level playing field. It would end a system where American companies follow stricter rules than their European and Asian counterparts. Under the legislation, new rules on American firms would only kick in once matching rules apply to foreign competitors too. Meanwhile, the tools kept out of Chinese fabs would be redirected to American and allied chipmakers. History has already proven what the CCP does with a chokepoint. It has weaponized its control over rare earth minerals and built its own blacklists. The CCP’s stated goal is total self-sufficiency in chips. The moment this happens, the CCP will drop foreign suppliers entirely. The window to protect America’s AI lead won’t stay open. Kimi K3 has made this clear. Every month of delay gives the CCP time to backfill supply chains, expand its own toolmaking and narrow the technology gap this bill is designed to preserve. The MATCH Act is widely expected to be included as part of the Senate’s National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), which Congress is working to pass. We have a narrowing chance to shut down an export control loophole that has quietly undercut American policy and AI leadership for years. We can’t let this opportunity slip away.",1,2026-08-12T06:18:38Z,2026-08-12T06:20:33Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=DBE43652-BFF6-47AF-ACC2-F160F31C3E12,Fischer Secures Return of Over $10.3M to Nebraskans from the Federal Government in 2026 … So Far,2026-08-10,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"OMAHA – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) announced that so far, in 2026, her office helped secure the return of over $10.3 million to Nebraskans owed to them by the federal government through her casework services. The dollar amount returned to Nebraskans is made up of money they have earned, or benefits owed to them by the Internal Revenue Service, Department of Veteran Affairs, the Social Security Administration, and other agencies. “One of the most important parts of my job as Nebraska’s senator is cutting through the bureaucratic red tape,” Fischer said. “I’m so fortunate to have great staff across the state who work hard every day to get folks the money and benefits they have earned. I encourage any Nebraskan who needs assistance to contact one of my offices. We are here to help.” More than just dollars and cents: Thomas, from Lincoln, Nebraska booked a last-minute trip to Scotland. He then realized that a country he would be connecting through required his passport to have six months validity beyond his travel dates. His current passport was set to expire before then, so he needed a new one quickly. When Thomas contacted Senator Fischer’s office for help, he was provided clear guidance on navigating the renewal process and contacted passport office representatives to help ensure the application was expedited. Even during the holiday season, Thomas received his passport in time and was able to keep his travel plans. How Fischer’s office can help: Nebraskans experiencing issues with federal agencies can request assistance from Fischer’s office at fischer.senate.gov. ###",1,2026-08-11T05:54:29Z,2026-08-11T05:56:25Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=069249E9-FA94-4479-BC83-79B18C98BD19,Fischer Votes for Sanctioning Russia Act,2026-08-07,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, issued the following statement after the Senate passed and she voted for the Sanctioning Russia Act, which she championed as an original cosponsor: “The Kremlin’s war machine runs on the money it makes from selling cheap oil and gas to countries like China, India, and Brazil who then profit by reselling Russian energy at a markup. It is long overdue for these enablers to pay a price. The Sanctioning Russia Act will pressure the world’s largest purchasers of Russian energy to reduce their dependence on Moscow. I urge the House to take it up swiftly and send it to the president’s desk.” Fischer recently spoke on the Senate floor in support of the bill to tout its mandatory sanctions on Russia’s political leadership, financial institutions, and energy sector — which will put economic pressure on Moscow to end Vladimir Putin’s illegal war against Ukraine. Background Fischer was an original cosponsor when the late Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC) first introduced this legislation with Senator Richard Blumenthal (D-CT) in 2025. She was also an original cosponsor of the updated version when Senator Darline Graham (R-SC) introduced it on July 16, 2026. ###",1,2026-08-08T05:41:38Z,2026-08-08T05:43:24Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=C38AFADA-027A-4934-B716-C81AC535CEB1,Fischer Statement on Democrats Blocking the Farm Bill in Committee,2026-08-07,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee, issued the following statement after Democrats on the committee voted against advancing the Farm Bill: “It is disgraceful Democrats refused to advance the bipartisan Farm Bill out of committee. First, Senate Democrats refused to stand up for our service members by not moving the bipartisan NDAA. Now, they’re turning their backs on farmers, ranchers, and rural America. We worked with them to secure bipartisan support for E15 and offered a compromise on SNAP cost share concerns. “What did the Democrats do? They voted against every policy they claim to care about: funding food banks, improving rural and mental health services, increasing access to safe drinking water, and expanded broadband connectivity. “This is a massive disservice to producers and communities across the country. I certainly hope they wake up and realize the pain this will inflict on American families.” ###",1,2026-08-08T05:41:38Z,2026-08-08T05:43:24Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-slotkin-introduce-legislation-to-prevent-offshoring-biotech-industry-to-communist-china/,"Ricketts, Slotkin Introduce Legislation to Prevent Offshoring Biotech Industry to Communist China",2026-08-06,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Elissa Slotkin (D-MI) introduced the Biotech Investment National Security Act (BINSA). This bill would ensure American investment in adversary biotechnology is subject to the review requirements of the Comprehensive Outbound Investment National Security (COINS) Act. Specifically, this legislation adds biotechnology, including pharmaceutical development, biologics manufacturing, and clinical research to the list of sectors subject to screening. “America leads the world in innovation across all sectors,” said Senator Ricketts. “This critical legislation ensures American investment in the biotech industry benefits Americans—not our enemies. We cannot allow Communist China to obtain the resources it needs to threaten our way of life. I will fight every effort that weaponizes American investments to undercut our businesses and reshape supply chains against us. Maintaining America’s innovative leadership and global economic dominance is a matter of national security.” “Biotech is crucial for driving economic growth, creating jobs, and spurring innovation in science and technologies, like lifesaving medicines,”said Senator Slotkin.“But right now, China is eating our lunch in this field. This bill ensures strong U.S. leadership in biotech and protects U.S. intellectual property and investments. We’ve seen China use this playbook before to dominate other critical sectors, such as the automotive industry and drone market. This bill will stop that.” This legislation would: Amend the COINS Act to include biotechnology –specifically pharmaceutical and biological product development—to the list of sectors subject to outbound screening. Make U.S. pharmaceutical licensing deals, joint ventures, and equity investments with Chinese covered foreign persons subject to review by the U.S. Treasury Department. Direct the Treasury Department to consult with Health and Human Services (HHS), the Department of War (DoW), and the Director of National Intelligence (DNI) and implement regulations within one year of enactment. Require the Secretary of Defense to assess within 60 days whether U.S. capital flows into Chinese biotechnology negatively affect national security and military readiness. Companion legislation was introduced in the House by Reps. John Moolenaar (R-MI-02) and Debbie Dingell (D-MI-06) in June 2026.",1,2026-08-07T06:11:19Z,2026-08-07T06:12:42Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=FF54EF48-DB8C-4EB9-AB7A-BC2AB0C154DB,"Fischer Applauds Release of Treasury, IRS Guidance on Her Permanent Paid Family and Medical Leave Tax Credit",2026-08-05,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Fischer’s Paid Family and Medical Leave Tax Credit is first-ever nationwide leave policy enacted into law; Treasury Secretary recognizes Fischer for leadership WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) issued the following statement upon the release of Internal Revenue Service (IRS) guidance for employers looking to claim the permanent Paid Family and Medical Leave Tax Credit she secured in the 2025 Working Families Tax Cuts. Fischer’s Paid Family and Medical Leave Tax Credit is the first-ever nationwide paid family leave policy enacted into law. “The Paid Family and Medical Leave Tax Credit is a first of its kind policy that gives working families flexibility as they care for their loved ones,” Fischer said. “The guidance released today gives employers the tools they need to take advantage of this credit and provide paid leave for their employees. Secretary Bessent has been a great partner in getting this done for hardworking Americans, and I thank him for his leadership."" “Hardworking Americans should not have to choose between caring for a loved one and earning a paycheck,”Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent said. “The Working Families Tax Cuts permanently expands the federal Paid Family and Medical Leave Tax Credit, giving businesses, especially small businesses, greater incentives to provide paid leave so workers can care for a newborn or other family member or recover from a serious illness without sacrificing their financial security. I appreciate Senator Fischer’s leadership to establish the nation’s first federal Paid Family and Medical Leave policy and to secure its permanent expansion through the Working Families Tax Cuts. Today’s guidance provides employers with the clarity they need to claim the enhanced credit, supporting American workers, families, and businesses.” “The permanent expansion of the credit encourages businesses to provide paid family and medical leave,” IRS Chief Executive Officer Frank J. Bisignano said. “The changes enacted by the Working Families Tax Cuts will make more employers eligible for the credit and give them more ways to offer this benefit to their workers.” Treasury/IRS Guidance: Beginning in 2026, more employers providing paid family and medical leave that meets certain requirements can take advantage of a general business tax credit ranging from 12.5% to 25% of wages paid to qualifying employees for up to 12 weeks of family and medical leave per taxable year. Employers can claim the credit for premiums paid for PFML insurance policies, in addition to wages paid during PFML leave. To help employers apply the new premium-based method, Notice 2026-28 addresses how the premium-based method compares to the wage-based method, how to allocate the qualifying premiums, and how to elect between the premium method and the wage method. Forthcoming proposed regulations will provide broader guidance to address the statute comprehensively and provide certainty to taxpayers. Background: In President Trump’s first term, Fischer secured the first and only nationwide Paid Family and Medical Leave policy by creating a temporary tax credit in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. Last July, when Republicans were crafting the Working Families Tax Cuts, Fischer made the tax credit permanent. The Working Families Tax Cuts also makes several key improvements to the credit, including: Expanded Eligibility: Employers can claim the credit for employees with six months of service and for part-time employees customarily working 20 hours or more per week. Expanded Coverage: Employers can claim the credit for insurance premiums paid to provide leave, or wages paid during leave. State and Local Mandates: Employers can count leave provided under state or local mandates toward the eligibility for this federal tax credit, but not toward the credit calculation. ###",1,2026-08-06T07:37:31Z,2026-08-06T07:38:34Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-introduces-legislation-to-establish-national-violent-offender-registry/,Ricketts Introduces Legislation to Establish National Violent Offender Registry,2026-08-05,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) introduced the Karly Rain Wood Act. This bill would establish a national violent offender registry, providing vital information to law enforcement and the public. Karly Rain Wood was a 20-year-old woman who was shot and killed at a friend’s birthday party in Omaha in 2022. Karly’s murderer was a repeat offender who had been arrested four times before being convicted of Karly’s murder and sentenced to life in prison in 2024. Two others were charged in the mass shooting that took Karly’s life and injured seven others. All had prior criminal records. Senator Ricketts was joined by Senator Fischer (R-NE) in introducing this bill. “Repeat violent offenders are freely roaming our streets without warning,” said Sen. Ricketts.“Americans deserve to know these criminals are living in their communities. A national violent offender registry is not only useful but also necessary to keep the public informed and update law enforcement of their whereabouts. Karly Rain was murdered by a repeat violent offender. Her death was a tragedy. That’s why I introduced this legislation in honor of Karly and to make our communities safer.” “Communities deserve to know about the potential danger that could be around the corner, and we need to do everything we can to prevent tragedies like Karly Rain Wood’s death. I thank Senator Ricketts for his leadership on this important legislation to create a nationwide system to identify repeat violent offenders in our communities,” said Sen. Fischer. Several states have implemented databases to track individuals convicted of violent offenses, but these vary based on jurisdiction. The national violent offender registry would mirror the national sex offender registry. This national database would help keep communities safe by providing important information to law enforcement and the public across state and local jurisdictions. The Karly Rain Wood Act would require: The Department of Justice to create a national database system to track repeat violent offenders. A repeat offender be defined as an individual who has received final conviction of not fewer than two qualifying offenses, or one qualifying offense and one serious drug offense. Registration of offender to be completed before the sentence of imprisonment is complete, or within three days of sentence if no imprisonment. Qualifying offenders appear in court in person every 90 days to update database. In-person registration requirement be completed within three days if offender moves jurisdictions. Click here for bill text. Background:",1,2026-08-06T07:37:31Z,2026-08-06T07:38:34Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-leads-delegation-letter-in-support-of-nebraska-air-national-guard-hosting-kc-46s/,Ricketts Leads Delegation Letter in Support of Nebraska Air National Guard Hosting KC-46s,2026-08-05,2026,2026-08,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"On Tuesday, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) led a letter to the Secretary of the Air Force requesting that the Nebraska Air National Guard’s (ANG) 155th Air Refueling Wing at Lincoln Municipal Airport be selected to host the KC-46 aircraft. This letter was signed by the Nebraska congressional delegation. “The 155th Air Refueling Wing is uniquely positioned to excel in all of these areas through its central U.S. location, unmatched infrastructure capacity, proven recruiting success, and rapidly expanding operational partnerships,” the delegation wrote. “The 155th Air Refueling Wing is mission-ready today and ideally positioned for tomorrow. As a Congressional delegation, we are confident that Lincoln is an ideal candidate for the KC-46A. We look forward to working closely with you and your team as you consider how Nebraska can play a crucial role in the Air Force’s new era of aerial refueling.” In May, the Secretary of the Air Force approved the enterprise definition and basing criteria for the ANG KC-46A Main Operating Base (MOB) 9. The ANG has 14 KC-135 locations, including Lincoln, operating aging aircraft. One of these locations will be selected to base 8 KC-46A aircraft. The letter was signed by Senators Ricketts and Fischer and Representatives Mike Flood, Don Bacon, and Adrian Smith. Full text of the letter can be found here and below. Dear Secretary Meink, As the Air Force considers sites for the Air National Guard (ANG) KC-46A Main Operating Base (MOB) 9, we respectfully request your full consideration of the Nebraska Air National Guard’s 155th Air Refueling Wing at Lincoln Municipal Airport as a top candidate to fulfill basing criteria. The May 2026 approval of the enterprise definition and criteria emphasizes the operational, manpower, and capacity requirements to support future KC-46 missions. The 155th Air Refueling Wing is uniquely positioned to excel in all of these areas through its central U.S. location, unmatched infrastructure capacity, proven recruiting success, and rapidly expanding operational partnerships. The 155th Air Refueling Wing has demonstrated success operating the KC-135R Stratotanker since 1993, having participated in several major combat missions, including Operations Allied Force, Noble Eagle, and Enduring Freedom. Located in the heart of the United States, the Lincoln Air National Guard Base ensures access to every geographic combatant command within a single flight. Additionally, Lincoln boasts significant infrastructure capacity, with one of the longest runways in the Air National Guard at 12,901 feet by 150 feet, and a 6,400 feet by 1,700 feet parking apron on the west side of the flightline. Not only is the entire runway being reconstructed with completion expected by fall 2027, but a land use feasibility study has also been completed for an 80-acre expansion. In terms of personnel, the Nebraska Air National Guard has an end strength of 104.74%, ranking fifth in the nation. Nebraska has long demonstrated proven recruiting success, including through its recent expansion of the 170th Group and Critical Care Air Transport Team at the University of Nebraska Medical Center (UNMC). This partnership with UNMC, which serves as one of two Regional Disaster Health Response System sites in the United States, creates natural synergy with the KC-46 Aeromedical Evacuation mission. Nebraska’s strategic relationships also span the globe. In recent years, the Nebraska National Guard has expanded its partnerships through the National Guard’s State Partnership Program to four countries: Czechia, Rwanda, Tanzania, and the Marshall Islands. This has created robust access in three geographic combatant commands. These partnerships also provide unmatched opportunities to improve cooperation with our allies and partners, strengthening the Air Force’s operational readiness. The 155th Air Refueling Wing is mission-ready today and ideally positioned for tomorrow. As a Congressional delegation, we are confident that Lincoln is an ideal candidate for the KC-46A. We look forward to working closely with you and your team as you consider how Nebraska can play a crucial role in the Air Force’s new era of aerial refueling.",1,2026-08-06T07:37:31Z,2026-08-06T07:38:34Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=26A67676-FC48-4D58-A3BD-349B58A8BC01,ICYMI: Fischer Joins “America Reports” on FOX News,2026-07-30,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) joined “America Reports” on FOX News with hosts Sandra Smith and Bill Melugin to discuss the Democratic Socialists of America platform and what it means for the future of the country. The interview comes after Fischer penned an op-ed in FOX News: ‘The left’s war on the Senate and Supreme Court puts our republic at risk.” Click here to download video of Fischer’s interview Transcript of Fischer’s interview: MELUGIN:Nebraska Republican Senator Deb Fischer writing an op-ed for Fox News today, saying that the DSA's calls to abolish the Senate and undermine the Supreme Court put the Republic at risk. Senator Fischer joins us now to talk all about it. Senator, great to see you this afternoon. Thanks for joining us. FISCHER:Good to see you. Thank you. MELUGIN:I kind of want to segue off what Jason and Sandra were just talking about, that wild video in Spain, right? We've been talking about socialism. We know what the socialist platform is here in the United States. They literally went on Fox News on Sunday and said, ""Yes, we want to get rid of all borders. Yes, we want to get rid of ICE. Yes, we want to get rid of all immigration enforcement. We want complete freedom of movement with no restriction whatsoever between countries."" That video we're looking at from Spain right now on the right side of our screen - that is what the socialists want in a future United States. Give us your thoughts. FISCHER:Well, we're seeing it. You know, if this doesn't wake up the people in this country when they see what an open border is going to cause. They need to tune in and start watching. This is frightening. It's very sobering, but it's also really sad. A lot of people think, ""Oh, we need to open our borders and open our country and offer opportunity to all those who need it, who want it, who desire it."" No, this is what you end up with, and that the people that come into this country without a shirt on their back, mostly young men, what are they going to do? … How are they going to find jobs? How are they going to find any place to stay? How are they going to be able to pay for what they need in life, for food, for shelter, for transportation? They're not. They're going to expect the government to do it or they're going to go out on their own, and we're going to see a lot of public safety being threatened in the process. I think Americans understand that; they get that. You have to have a border to be a country, and you have to have an immigration system that we have here in the United States. We have secure borders. We welcome over a million people from around the world to this country every year. We are the most welcoming country in the world, and so when a lot of people say, open the borders and let people in who want to come here, watch TV, watch your station here, and you'll see what it looks like. MELUGIN:Well, a lot of your Democratic colleagues have been having to answer questions about the socialist wing within the party, and the answer a lot of them have been giving is: Look, we're a big tent party. We like a bunch of different ideas, and we let anybody in. Here's your colleague, Senator Dick Durbin, talking about that. DURBIN [RECORDED]:Let me tell you, labels, of course, are being thrown around on both sides. I look for progressive values that I have supported over the years and continue to. There are some who are more aggressive than others, but that part, the party that I belong to, has that kind of dialog and reflects what is really going through the minds of families in America who are struggling economically to survive. Progressives are joining us in this effort, and we need them. MELUGIN:Senator, there's a big difference between some progressive ideas and abolishing the police, abolishing borders, abolishing the Senate, and abolishing the presidency and the Supreme Court. FISCHER:Exactly. You know, I like Senator Durbin. And I respect him, but I disagree with him totally on this.When you say you have a big tent party, that means you agree on basic values. You agree on the role of government in society. You agree on people being able to have opportunities to start their own businesses. You know that's an American dream to start your own business. It doesn't mean that you bring in people with radical ideas totally different from what your party used to be. The Democrat Party used to be for working people. Does that mean working people who are working who are going to take care of all these people entering the country, all these illegal immigrants coming into your country - is that what a working person in America is going to have to do in the future? Because they're going to be called upon to pay taxes, to pay more in order to handle an open border situation. And if you if you defund the police, if you defund our Department of Defense, which means our military men and women, you're not going to have the protection there. When you defund our military men and women, how are they going to be able to accomplish the missions that we give them to do? We're putting our military at risk there, let alone our entire country. So, I think the more that Americans learn about what so-called Democratic socialist is, they're going to reject that. ###",1,2026-07-31T07:49:23Z,2026-07-31T07:50:48Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=AAD85614-B4CA-40AC-8503-5607095356D5,Fischer Leads Hearing on AI in Communications Networks,2026-07-30,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), Chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation’s Telecommunications and Media Subcommittee, convened a hearing examining how artificial intelligence (AI) is transforming communications networks and how the technology can enhance services across the country. Click here to download video of Fischer’s opening remarks Watch the full hearing here This hearing titled “Intelligent Networks: Powering Artificial Intelligence and Transforming Communications” was convened by the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation’s Telecommunications and Media Subcommittee on Thursday, July 30, 2026, at 10:00am ET. The witnesses for the hearing are as follows: Mr. Dan Watermeier, Commissioner, Nebraska Public Service Commission Mr. Jonathan Spalter, President and CEO of USTelecom—The Broadband Association Mr. Bob Everson, Chief Architect, Cisco Fischer’s remarks as prepared: Good morning to the members of this subcommittee and to our witnesses. Thank you all for being here. This hearing will explore the relationship between telecommunications infrastructure and artificial intelligence. That relationship moves in both directions: AI requires low-latency and high-bandwidth networks. But AI has real potential to make networks more efficient and secure. This hearing is not intended to be a referendum on the merits of artificial intelligence. Around the world, however, our allies and adversaries are jockeying for AI leadership. To position the United States for ongoing economic and security leadership, the U.S. needs AI-supportive and AI-enhanced networks. AI is increasingly a part of Americans’ everyday lives. For example, in 2024, nearly three-quarters of enterprises used AI for at least one business function. In 2025, more than half of Americans reported using generative AI. These trends have been accompanied by a surge in demand across networks. And AI adoption is only expected to grow. Most enterprises are still scaling their uses of AI, and many individual AI uses are for basic search functions. As AI use and downstream applications of AI continue to grow, demand for reliable, high-speed, high-capacity networks will also grow. Today, we will explore how the rapid adoption of AI has impacted existing network infrastructure. This includes the new demand that AI has added to networks. We will explore how widespread AI use has forced networks to evolve, requiring more capacity and more complex designs so that AI can run efficiently on those networks. We will consider how government, providers, and other industries are responding to that demand. Private companies have invested hundreds of billions of dollars in network deployment in recent years. Various federal broadband programs have also provided billions to support targeted network deployment and maintenance throughout the country. We will review obstacles to AI-supportive networks. Opaque regulations and lack of coordination should not get in the way of network development and the many downstream applications it enables. Finally, we will consider how AI can be used to improve our networks. Zooming out from the technical questions, we must also ask a more fundamental question: Why must our networks be prepared for AI? First, America has a geostrategic imperative to make sure our networks are the best in the world. Now, more than ever, we cannot fall behind in developing the most resilient and secure networks. Second, to reap the full economic benefits that AI and other rapidly emerging technologies are promising, we need reliable connectivity for individuals and enterprises all over the country. This is not connectivity for the sake of checking a box or hitting a milestone. Nebraska’s hardest-to-reach communities include farms and ranches that are at the leading edge of connectivity-based ag solutions. Rural hospitals depend on resilient and secure communications networks to use state-of-the-art medical technologies and reach patients in remote areas. Manufacturers rely on the Internet of Things, robotics, and cloud-based systems to streamline internal processes and improve quality control. As AI adoption increases, so will the demand for reliable and resilient communications infrastructure. Networks are the backbone along which the enormous amounts of data associated with AI are transmitted. I look forward to discussing both how networks are adapting to respond to AI and how AI is being used in networks to proactively plan for the future.",1,2026-07-31T07:49:23Z,2026-07-31T07:50:48Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=C33FF48D-71C3-4CDD-9E17-45835C711095,Fischer in Fox News: The left’s war on the Senate and Supreme Court puts our republic at risk,2026-07-30,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"In case you missed it: U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, penned an op-ed in Fox News calling for a renewed commitment to preserving America’s institutions. After hearing testimony from Supreme Court Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan detailing threats to their safety, Fischer denounces the Democratic Socialists of America’s platform to abolish the Supreme Court and Senate and condemns escalatory rhetoric undermining the legitimacy of these institutions. Read the op-ed here or below. The Democratic Socialists of America recently rolled out a policy platform wrapped in delusional promises — free government-run healthcare, the abolition of the police and prison systems and the defunding of our military. While those proposals sound crazy enough, something far more radical is buried underneath: a call to abolish the Senate and subordinate the presidency and the Supreme Court to a new unicameral body that would choose and control the executive and judicial branches. That proposal is not just unserious — it is a direct assault on the Constitution. The attacks on the Supreme Court's legitimacy and the calls to abolish the Senate spring from the same impulse: impatience with constitutional limits on political power. When institutions become obstacles to ideological goals, the answer should never be to tear them down. That dangerous mindset has consequences beyond political rhetoric. Our Supreme Court justices and their families have been subject to escalating threats in recent years. During a recent Senate Appropriations Committee hearing, I heard directly from Justices Amy Coney Barrett and Elena Kagan. Both described a security posture that has not kept pace with the threats they now face. In fact, after the leak of the court’s decision to overturn Roe v. Wade, Justice Barrett came home from work wearing a bulletproof vest given to her by her security detail. She recounted placing the vest on a table and having to explain to her 12-year-old son what it was and why she had it. No justice should fear for their safety because they faithfully discharge their constitutional duty. Yet instead of treating this as the urgent, nonpartisan security matter it is, we continue to hear rhetoric that attacks the very legitimacy of the court as an institution. In 2020, Sen. Chuck Schumer said Justices Brett Kavanaugh and Neil Gorsuch would ""pay the price"" if they acted to restrict abortion. His comments were inappropriate and dangerous. Unfortunately, this sentiment has continued to proliferate and fuel physical threats. More recently, congressional Democrats have called the Supreme Court ""corrupt,"" ""rigged"" and ""a disgrace."" Criticism of the court's decisions is part of a healthy democracy. Justice Kagan said as much herself. But there is a clear difference between criticizing a ruling and undermining the legitimacy of the institution or inciting threats against those who serve on it. The same impatience animates the DSA's call to abolish the Senate. The Senate provides a necessary counterbalance to the House of Representatives. It balances power by granting each state equal representation, protecting smaller states from being steamrolled by larger ones. Because senators serve staggered six-year terms, the body is insulated from drastic swings in public opinion. That deliberate friction is what has allowed the republic to endure for generations. The three branches of government conceived by the Founders have served our democracy well. Republicans and Democrats alike should reject calls to dismantle our constitutional order. Now is the time to reaffirm our commitment to those institutions. Congress can ensure that Supreme Court justices have the security resources necessary to carry out their duties without fear or intimidation. I will continue making this a priority through my role on the Appropriations Committee. But we need every American to reject the DSA’s reckless calls to dismantle the constitutional framework that has preserved our republic for 250 years. The answer to political disagreement is not to weaken the Constitution — it is to defend it. ###",1,2026-07-31T07:49:23Z,2026-07-31T07:50:48Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-supports-ending-cafe-standards-to-lower-automobile-costs-for-nebraskan-farmers-and-consumers/,Ricketts Supports Ending CAFE Standards to Lower Automobile Costs for Nebraskan Farmers and Consumers,2026-07-29,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) joined Senator Crapo (R-ID) and four of his senate colleagues to introduce the Restoring Affordability in Automobile Manufacturing (RAAM Act). This bill would permanently eliminate the Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. This would increase consumer choice and lower automobile prices for Nebraskans. Republicans eliminated civil monetary penalties for noncompliance with CAFE standards as part of the Working Families Tax Cuts in July 2025. The Trump administration fully reversed President Biden’s CAFE standards by executive order in December 2025. The RAAM Act would permanently eliminate the standards and prevent future administrations from reestablishing these standards or stricter regulations. “Affordability is at the top of minds for Nebraskans,” said Senator Ricketts. “Biden-era fuel regulations impose unfair fuel standards that limit consumer choice and drive-up costs. Last year, Republicans passed the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, which zeroed out these penalties. To prevent future administrations from raising penalties again, I support permanently repealing the Federal Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) standards. Nebraskans will have more control over the vehicles they purchase, and farmers will no longer have to pay the costs of burdensome regulations. I support the RAAM Act to unleash American energy dominance, lower costs for consumers, and support our agriculture community.” “The Biden-era CAFE standards turned an energy-security program into a de facto electric vehicle mandate, beyond Congress’s original intent to improve fuel economy and strengthen our nation’s energy security,” said Senator Crapo. “Today’s CAFE standards distort the automobile market, saddle manufacturers with costly compliance requirements that drive up vehicle costs for hardworking families and do little to shield Americans from the volatility of global oil markets. The RAAM Act would repeal the costly, outdated CAFE program and put consumers–not federal regulators–back in the driver’s seat when it comes to vehicle choice.” “From its earliest days, America’s automotive industry was a powerhouse of innovation and inspiration,” said Senator Scott. “It not only redefined travel and commerce, it helped craft the American spirit and identity of the 20th century. But like so many other great things in American life, big government got in the way. Decades of overbearing regulations left us with cars that are ugly, underpowered, and undesirable. Repealing CAFE standards will give America the chance to make our cars great again by letting automakers design cars Americans, and consumers across the world, want to buy.” Senators Ricketts and Crapo were joined by Senators Jim Risch (R-ID), Rick Scott (R-FL), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), and Alan Armstrong (R-OK) for introduction of the bill. The legislation is supported by the American Petroleum Institute and Americans for Prosperity. The RAAM Act would eliminate CAFE standards effective model year 2029. Bill text is available HERE. Background: Congress enacted the CAFE program in 1975 following the OPEC oil embargo to reduce petroleum consumption, improve fuel economy, and strengthen the nation’s energy security. In recent years, CAFE standards became a partisan tool used by the Biden administration to advance its unpopular, partisan climate change agenda rather than its intended focus of protecting America’s fuel and energy security. The CAFE standard regulations restrict consumer choice, harm U.S. farmers and businesses, and provide a lane for Communist China to infiltrate our automotive industry.",1,2026-07-30T07:32:48Z,2026-07-30T07:34:08Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=AEC6E2EC-3D59-480D-92A5-8B51DA7F8973,ICYMI: Fischer Joins “Mornings with Maria” on FOX Business,2026-07-28,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON –Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and member of the Appropriations Committee, joined “Mornings with Maria” on FOX Business with host Cheryl Casone to discuss government funding and Senate Democrats’ refusal to advance the National Defense Authorization Act(NDAA). Fischer’s exchange with Casone: CASONE: There are just a few legislative days here before the August recess for you and your colleagues. The House sent a wave of bills up to the Senate last week: reconciliation 3.0, the Congressional Stock Trading Ban. There's a CR [Continuing Resolution] there, the NDAA. All of these bills have elements, however, of the Save America Act included. I know that you're a supporter of that, but there's also this push to confirm more nominees of the president. DNI [Director of National Intelligence] nominee Jay Clayton. Senator, what is your top priority right now? Is it funding and what else? FISCHER: Well, I want to make sure that we keep the government open. I know Chuck Schumer and the Democrats—they want to shut down. They want to shut down before the election, so they can try and blame Republicans for that. Republicans are working to keep this government open, and that includes funding. We need to work through an appropriations process where it's very transparent, where we're accountable. We need to look at the supplemental that the president sent over. That's extremely important in Appropriations. We had a hearing last week where Secretary Hegseth and General Caine came before the committee. They stressed the need in order to meet the threats that this country faces. We need to fund our military. We need to make sure that we have the munitions necessary and to bolster that production for munitions. I think it's just unconscionable that Democrats didn't advance the National Defense Authorization Act. You know, this takes care of our military men and women. They turned their backs on our military men and women. They would not even move forward on the bill that we were able to get out of the Armed Services Committee. So, we have a lot going on here that's going to directly impact the safety and security of this country. And number one is to make sure that we fund our national defense. ###",1,2026-07-29T07:41:48Z,2026-07-29T07:42:57Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-op-ed-its-time-to-ban-congressional-insider-trading/,Ricketts Op-Ed: It’s Time to Ban Congressional Insider Trading,2026-07-23,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"The following op-ed by U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) was originally published by the National Review on July 22, 2026. When the American people send lawmakers to Washington, they expect them to serve their constituents. Sadly, polling confirms that many Americans believe politicians are abusing their positions for personal financial gain. Over 80 percent of Americans believe members of Congress do a bad job keeping their personal financial interests separate from their work in Congress. As a result, it should come as no surprise that only 15 percent of Americans approve of how Congress handles its job. Polling doesn’t just tell the story. History does, too. Social media accounts publish routine updates tracking a former speaker’s stock trade. Today, mimicking a few lawmakers’ trades is a legitimate investment strategy. In 2020, the chairman of the Senate Intelligence Committee sold over $1.5 million in stock just days prior to the pandemic-induced market crash. Stories like these underscore the need to act. Even the perception of self-dealing by lawmakers erodes public trust and can negatively impact voter participation in our democracy. To be clear, no lawmaker should profit from insider information. My Stop Insider Trading Act is the solution. President Trump has voiced support for this legislation. Just last week, Vice President Vance told House Republicans we need to pass it. There are a couple of big reasons why we need to get this bill to the president’s desk. First, it eliminates even the appearance of impropriety by prohibiting members of Congress, their spouses, and dependent children from buying new stock. If a lawmaker or their family already owns stock, they can maintain ownership. However, if members of Congress or their families wish to sell stock, they must publicly disclose those plans seven days in advance. Doing so allows the public — and the market — to get ahead of any news that could impact a stock’s price. Second, my bill carries significant penalties. Any violation would incur a $2,000 fine or a fine that is 10 percent of the transaction — whichever is greater. Additionally, any profit realized by a sale would also be forfeited. Under my bill, if a lawmaker sold $1 million in stock without filing advanced public notice, they would be fined $100,000 — plus forfeit any profits. It’s time Congress made this the standard. The Stop Insider Trading Act is a product of months of detailed conversations and extensive negotiation. Despite negotiating in good faith, some continue to undermine these potential reforms. Their demands are meant to score political points, not serve the American people. That’s a tactic that only hinders good legislation. Others have argued that lawmakers should be forced to divest their portfolios. That would have unintended consequences. Forced divestiture would discourage Americans with successful private sector careers from serving in Congress. If we hope to maintain America’s dominance in the global economy, we can’t afford to lose that experience and perspective in Washington. Americans need trust and transparency from Congress. Voters are demanding action. My Stop Insider Trading Act delivers. Both the House and Senate need to move this bill quickly to the president’s desk. It has Democratic support. President Trump and Vice President Vance have voiced their support. America has voiced its support. Congress should capitalize on that momentum. The Stop Insider Trading Act ensures no lawmaker can profit from insider information. By passing it, we can rebuild Americans’ trust in their elected representatives. Democrats had their chance to address this issue when they controlled the House and the Senate. They didn’t. Now, Republicans stand ready to deliver. It’s time Congress put real safeguards in place for lawmaker stock trading. I’m committed to getting the job done.",1,2026-07-24T07:30:11Z,2026-07-24T07:31:13Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=551F4394-3A46-4EC2-9B87-F99148E195C8,Fischer on Senate Floor: Pass the Sanctioning Russia Act,2026-07-22,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, spoke on the Senate floor in support of the Sanctioning Russia Act, which she is an original cosponsor of. The legislation will impose mandatory sanctions on Russia’s political leadership, financial institutions, and energy sector — putting economic pressure on Moscow to end Putin’s war against Ukraine. Click the image above to watch a video of Fischer’s remarks. Click here to download audio. Click here to download video. Fischer’s Senate floor speech as prepared for delivery: M. President, Lindsey Graham. Friend. Colleague. Tireless national security advocate. He was a true leader in strengthening our military and our country’s defense. I miss him dearly. I am so pleased his beloved sister, Darline, now serves here in this institution. She is carrying on his legacy and honoring his commitment to the people of South Carolina and this country. M. President, I rise here today to, yes, pay tribute to Lindsey Graham – but to also call on my colleagues to help us carry on one of his greatest efforts: ending Putin’s barbaric and unjust war against sovereign Ukraine. For more than four years, the Ukrainian people have shown extraordinary resilience and resolve. They have defended their homeland with courage that has inspired the world. In 2022, Vladimir Putin thought he could seize eastern Ukraine in days. He thought he could drag Europe back into the dark shadow of the Soviet Union. He thought he would be feared and respected. But he is neither strong nor powerful. He is a war criminal. Putin has made clear his intentions to push beyond Ukraine and into NATO territory. Russian drones have encroached on Polish, Finnish, Lithuanian, Latvian, Estonian, and Romanian airspace. These were deliberate provocations to test NATO’s resolve. Putin seeks to push deeper into Europe, to see just how far he can go before we push back. That is why the United States and our allies must raise the stakes through tougher sanctions and a stronger U.S. deterrence posture along NATO’s eastern flank. I commend the Polish, Dutch, German, and Italian Armed Forces for their swift and professional response in intercepting drones that could have killed innocent civilians during these incursions. Their actions remind us that NATO’s strength lies in unity and readiness. President Trump has made clear that Europe must carry more of the burden for its own security. Poland, in particular, has answered that call, committing 5 percent of its GDP to defense. Other allies are stepping up as well. This is the path forward: a stronger, more capable NATO prepared to deter and defeat any threat. But make no mistake — Putin understands only one language: power. And the surest road to peace in Europe lies in NATO’s strength and Ukraine’s survival. Yet strength must also be economic. The Kremlin’s war machine runs on the money it makes from selling cheap oil and gas to countries like China, India, and Brazil. Those nations then profit by reselling Russian energy at a markup. That must end. It is long overdue for the financial enablers of Russia’s atrocities to pay a price. They cannot keep fueling Putin’s war and expect business as usual with the United States. That is why Congress must pass the Sanctioning Russia Act. This legislation would impose mandatory sanctions on Russia’s political leadership, financial institutions, energy sector, and sanctions evasion networks. By employing targeted tariffs, this policy would pressure the world’s largest purchasers of Russian energy to reduce their dependence on Moscow. This bill gives the president maximum flexibility to enforce these measures, ensuring both legal strength and political durability. I am grateful to Senator Blumenthal, who worked closely with Lindsey on this important bipartisan legislation. And I am encouraged to see him carry this effort forward. I was proud to be an early supporter of this bill, and I am proud to support this updated version now. The Sanctioning Russia Act is the sledgehammer we need: decisive economic pressure that cripples Putin’s lifeline and hastens the day his war with Ukraine finally ends. Peace will not come from weakness or hesitation. It will come from strength — military, economic, and moral strength — wielded together by the free nations of the world. I ask my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to join our broad coalition in supporting this bill. Let us carry on Lindsey’s mission. Let us stand up to evil. Let us bring freedom and security to the people of Ukraine. Thank you, M. President. I yield the floor. ###",1,2026-07-23T07:31:02Z,2026-07-23T07:32:26Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=C33388BA-EFD7-4F23-BCF1-E5C46E7EF685,"Fischer Questions Hegseth, Caine on Munitions Stockpiles",2026-07-22,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON –U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, questioned U.S. Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Dan Caine on the importance of replenishing munitions expended in Operation Epic Fury and expanding domestic production capacity. Click here to download video of Fischer’s remarks Fischer’s exchange with Caine: FISCHER: If we want to support Ukraine going forward, I think the best way to do that is to dramatically increase munitions production, and we need more interceptors. We have to be able to move forward. Let me emphasize that this supplemental does that. This is what we're talking about here today. It's one of the things that we're talking about. As a member of the Armed Services Committee, one of my priorities for over five years now has been on munitions production. General Caine, what happens if Congress doesn't fund this $21 billion request for additional munitions? CAINE: Well, ma'am, there's been a lot of work done by the department to partner with the private sector. I'll acknowledge some of the efforts that the private sector is doing to utilize their own capital to facilitate factories. If we don't, as a team, figure out how to properly fund the department, then we're not going to get the munitions, and there's going to be a lack of shared risk between the federal government and the private sector. I think we're at a point in time in our history where we need to partner. We need to find an ability to share risk. We need to be better sellers and buyers on both sides in order to make sure that the young, all volunteer force has the weapons that they need before they are asked to go do something. FISHER: You're saying we need to be prepared as a country? CAINE: Yes, ma'am, and I hope, as I said in my opening statement, that we will find a way to make sure that we seize this moment in this time in history to ensure that we've got the right mix of munitions—high, low scale, autonomous. FISCHER: What's your plan B if the supplemental doesn't pass? CAINE: Ma'am, we will always figure things out. We will always have contingencies. We will always determine a way to create multiple simultaneous dilemmas for adversaries around the world in order to create time for us to do the work that the Congress and the department needs to do together. FISCHER: As you've heard me say a number of times in our posture hearings on Armed Services and also in classified briefings, we don't have a lot of time, do we, sir? CAINE: No, ma'am. That's why I said, if not now, then when, and if not us, then who. I truly believe we're at one of those moments in history where we have a choice to make, just given what I see on the next couple of ridge lines, and I encourage us to move forward. Fischer’s exchange with Hegseth: FISCHER: Mr. Secretary, how would this request scale munitions production and be able to accelerate our delivery times? HEGSETH: In the past, previous administrations would sort of send the same amount of dollars into trying to encourage companies to build another factory and add an additional shift. What this munitions request does is fulfills deals that our department has cut with these companies. First, multi-year procurement, where these companies that make SM-3s or Patriots or THAADs [Terminal High Altitude Area Defense] or Tomahawks... FISCHER: A priority for our NDAA a couple years ago. HEGSETH: Absolutely, and you have provided that authority, multi-year procurement, and now those companies are spending $4 billion, $5 billion, $3 billion on building their own new factories, that then produce 2x, 3x, or 4x the amount of munitions than they did in the past, and they paid for it. So actually, in this budget, which is $21 billion, as you mentioned, it saves $18 billion over the FYDP on munitions because we're buying munitions at today's cost and not five or seven years from now when we will also get them. FISCHER: I hate to interrupt, but we're running out of time. We also have the request includes $4.1 billion for our space-based capabilities, and that includes the AMTI and our space data network capabilities, and these really underpin the long-range kill chains and allow our warfighters to detect and also then to track the airborne threats. So, Mr. Secretary, what's the risk to the joint force if we delay these programs until FY28 or beyond? HEGSETH: Senator, not being able to see, not being able to sense before an adversary is able to engage one of our capabilities, which means falling behind in the domain of space, which means falling behind at every other domain. This hearing titled “A Review of the President’s Supplemental Funding Request of June 24, 2026” was convened by the Senate Appropriations Committee. ###",1,2026-07-23T07:31:02Z,2026-07-23T07:32:26Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-announces-support-for-reforming-birthright-citizenship/,Ricketts Announces Support for Reforming Birthright Citizenship,2026-07-21,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) announced his support for reforming birthright citizenship: “Birthright citizenship was included in the U.S. Constitution to reconcile an incredible error in America. It was added to ensure those freed from slavery were granted American citizenship. This made our nation better. Today, birthright citizenship is being exploited by bad actors and our adversaries. We are one of the only nations that lacks commonsense guardrails on birthright citizenship. This incentivizes illegal immigration and promotes birth tourism. Illegal immigrants and non-citizens are crossing our borders and having children, who are then given American citizenship automatically. Our current policy also allows bad actors to game the system with birth tourism. Unrestrained birthright citizenship hands Communist China an opportunity to infiltrate our country. We must reform the system. I am proud to be an American. I understand why others want to be a citizen of our great nation. But becoming an American is a privilege, not a right. It is about more than being born on our soil. It’s about committing to our nation’s promise and holding to our values of freedom and democracy. I support reforming birthright citizenship in America.” Ricketts is a co-sponsor of two pieces of legislation that would reform birthright citizenship:",1,2026-07-22T07:34:13Z,2026-07-22T07:35:16Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-ricketts-on-combatting-atm-fraud-and-scams-in-nebraska/,VIDEO: Ricketts on Combatting ATM Fraud and Scams in Nebraska,2026-07-21,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Last week, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) discussed his work to combat crypto ATM fraud in Nebraska. Ricketts highlighted successes at the State of Nebraska Department of Banking and discouraged overreliance on the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau (CFPB). “As Governor of Nebraska, I had a Department of Banking, and if any of our consumers in Nebraska came and approached us with a problem, no matter how big the bank was, we would investigate to make sure that that consumer got the resolution they needed from whatever problem they had,” Ricketts said. “Take the example of crypto kiosk ATM scams. The state of Nebraska and twenty-eight other states have passed laws to protect consumers on this and combat them. In Nebraska, from September 2025 to June 2026, the Nebraska Department of Banking returned $325,000 back to consumers in our state stemming from crypto ATM fraud and scams. It wasn’t the CFPB that did that — it was the State of Nebraska Department of Banking. In the CLARITY Act, I worked to ensure that the bill preserves the authority of states to enforce laws such as these crypto ATM laws, laws that have helped protect consumers.” Watch the video here.",1,2026-07-22T07:34:13Z,2026-07-22T07:35:16Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=E4B8885B-D86E-41A9-9487-A3BA3CFD0B61,"Fischer, Thune, Fetterman Introduce Legislation to Improve Broadband Mapping",2026-07-20,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), Senate Majority Leader John Thune (R-SD), and Senator John Fetterman (D-PA) introduced the bipartisan Broadband Mapping Accurate Providers (MAP) Act of 2026 to improve the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) broadband mapping process. “We need a better understanding of where internet connectivity falls short, especially in rural America,”Fischer said. “With broadband maps, we can accomplish this goal; however, they must be accurate. I’m joining Leader Thune to make sure these maps correctly identify unserved and underserved communities. This will safeguard taxpayer dollars while connecting more Americans to high-speed internet.” “Broadband providers who are on the ground in South Dakota and across rural America have vital, firsthand knowledge of the communities they serve,” Thune said. “Ensuring the accuracy of the FCC’s broadband map and its corresponding challenge process is critical to build on our progress to make federal broadband investments as effective and efficient as possible. I thank Chairman Carr for supporting our efforts and for his continued commitment to connecting households across our country to the internet.” “Broadband internet is a necessity, especially for our rural communities,”Fetterman said. “The first step we can take to ensure families have internet access across Pennsylvania and the country is figuring out who still doesn’t. I’m proud to join Senator Thune in introducing this bill to get us one step closer to bringing connectivity to every American. I look forward to working with the FCC when the maps are complete to continue to expand broadband.” This legislation is supported by NTCA—The Rural Broadband Association and NCTA—The Internet and Television Association. Mike Romano, CEO, NTCA – The Rural Broadband Association, said, “While we have seen improvements to the National Broadband Map over time, precisely because this is an iterative and evolving process, there is more to be done to make sure the map accurately captures where services are in fact available and the locations that could be served. The Broadband MAP Act of 2026 would help spur continuous improvement in the map through a renewed look at the standards and processes used to develop and refine it. I applaud Majority Leader Thune and Senators Fetterman and Fischer for their leadership in seeking to ensure that broadband policy and funding decisions are based upon the best possible real-world data.” Cory Gardner, President and CEO, NCTA – The Internet and Television Association, said, “We appreciate Senators Thune, Fetterman, and Fischer’s leadership in introducing the Broadband MAP Act of 2026. This legislation is an important step toward streamlining broadband permitting and accelerating network deployment. We look forward to working with them on bipartisan solutions that comprehensively address permitting challenges and help ensure every American has access to reliable, high-speed broadband.” Background Since its launch in 2011, the FCC has made significant strides in enhancing the accuracy of its National Broadband Map. However, providers have reported difficulties with the FCC’s challenge process, which allows providers to dispute the serviceability of certain locations. This legislation instructs the FCC to review and assess the mapping and challenge process to work better for providers who are working to get Americans connected. Fischer has also worked to reform the Broadband Funding Map which she created in the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. Last month, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed Fischer’s bill to reform broadband funding reporting to the FCC, making sure federal dollars are being spent responsibility on broadband deployment. See full bill text here. ###",1,2026-07-21T07:32:02Z,2026-07-21T07:33:33Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/senator-ricketts-weekly-column-combatting-fraud-waste-and-abuse-will-preserve-our-nation/,"Senator Ricketts’ Weekly Column: Combatting Fraud, Waste and Abuse Will Preserve Our Nation",2026-07-17,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"Nebraskans are honest, trusting people. We expect others to behave the same way. However, that’s not always the case. Too many people are stealing and abusing tax dollars. These people lie and cheat to line their own pockets. In some cases, they send stolen money overseas. This illegal behavior drives up the cost of living. It also burdens programs meant to help Americans who need it. Too many politicians made stealing from the government easy. I’m fighting to put an end to this fraud, waste, and abuse. The Trump Administration has unearthed widespread misuse of government resources. In Minnesota and California, we’ve learned of extensive fraud and abuse. A federal prosecutor found that at least half of the Medicaid funding for 14 Minnesota-run programs was stolen. That’s at least $9 billion in taxpayer money. In one case in California, over $50 million in Medicare benefits were stolen. This is just one example of pervasive fraud and abuse in California. Los Angeles County alone accounts for about 34% of hospice care fraud in the U.S. CBS News found that 93% of Los Angeles County hospice care providers have at least one indication of fraud. Funds meant to support those in hospice are being used for personal gain. Even in Nebraska, our state auditor has found abuse. People live in homes worth half a million dollars and receive paychecks over $100,000. Then, they draw benefits from the Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) Program. WIC wasn’t designed for those folks. WIC is a safety net designed to help women, infants, and children in need. We must stop people from abusing this program. They are taking away resources from the people who need them. To build on these efforts, I co-founded the new Senate Anti-Fraud Task Force. We are identifying vulnerabilities in existing programs. We’re strengthening government accountability. And we’re ensuring proper stewardship of taxpayer dollars. The Government Accountability Office looked at fraud between 2018 and 2022. They estimated that between $233 billion and $521 billion a year in taxpayer money was stolen. We are working to stop this bleeding of taxpayer dollars. I also have a bipartisan bill to increase transparency on improper federal payments. Improper payments are when the government overpays or underpays. It’s also when they pay the wrong person. The Improper Payments Transparency Act would require the President to provide data on improper payments in the annual budget request. Transparency brings accountability. My bill is included in the Protecting American Taxpayers Act. This is a legislative package to combat fraud. We expect to vote on it soon. The Working Families Tax Cuts also fights against fraud. We placed work and eligibility requirements on Medicaid and SNAP. We did this to prevent abuse of American taxpayer dollars. Medicaid and SNAP should benefit moms and children, the elderly, and the disabled. That’s who these programs were created for. These reforms ensure that dead people do not remain enrolled in Medicaid. They also make sure that people cannot be enrolled in multiple states. As we often do, Nebraska led the nation on these reforms. To receive Medicaid, able-bodied Americans without young kids will need to be productive. These people will have to contribute to their community by working, volunteering, or studying for 20 hours a week. These requirements are less restrictive than what is currently required for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families (TANF) program. That’s not too much to ask. These requirements will help preserve the programs for who they were designed for. They will also increase workforce participation and save taxpayers $250 billion. We also tightened requirements on illegal immigrants. Our system was never intended to subsidize non-Americans. There were over 1.2 million illegal immigrants receiving Medicaid benefits. These reforms make sure only Americans can receive government assistance. Fraudsters have stolen from Nebraskans and the American people for too long. I am working to combat fraud, waste, and abuse. We need to protect Americans, our tax dollars, and our values. This is how we preserve our great nation for another 250 years.",1,2026-07-18T06:58:50Z,2026-07-18T07:00:34Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-combatting-fraud-waste-and-abuse/,"VIDEO: Combatting Fraud, Waste, and Abuse",2026-07-16,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, during his weekly press call with Nebraska media, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) discussed his work in the Senate to combat fraud, waste, and abuse. Ricketts also highlighted how the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act will lower the cost of housing and make the Good Life more affordable. “Too many people are stealing and abusing tax dollars. These people lie and cheat to line their own pockets. In some cases, they send stolen money overseas,” said Ricketts. “This illegal behavior drives up the cost of living. It also burdens programs meant to help Americans who need it. Too many politicians made stealing from the government easy. I’m fighting to put an end to this fraud, waste, and abuse.” Watch the video here. TRANSCRIPT: “First, let me share an update on the housing bill. “As of Friday, the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act is officially law. “This is the most comprehensive housing bill to pass Congress in 36 years. “It’s a real achievement to cut through the red tape and regulation that drives up housing costs. “For example, HUD and USDA have grant programs that they don’t work together on. “This bill will require them to work together in a streamlined manner to get their processes to get out the money faster. “The housing law will also get rid of the requirement for manufactured homes to have a trailer or chassis. “This regulatory requirement was from 50 years ago. “Removing this requirement knocks off about $10,000 from the cost of manufactured homes. “It will also get rid of the requirement to do environmental reviews on infill sites where these reviews have already happened. “We don’t need to duplicate things that have already been done. “These are just a few examples of how this law will streamline the process of building a home to be able to help bring down the cost of homes. “With that, let’s move on to what we are working on this week, which is addressing fraud, waste, and abuse. “Nebraskans are honest, trusting people. “We expect others to behave the same way. “However, that’s not always the case. “Too many people are stealing and abusing tax dollars. “These people lie and cheat to line their own pockets. “In some cases, they send stolen money overseas. “This illegal behavior drives up the cost of living. “It also burdens programs meant to help Americans who need it. “Too many politicians made stealing from the government easy. “I’m fighting to put an end to this fraud, waste, and abuse. “The Trump Administration has unearthed widespread misuse of government resources. “In Minnesota and California, we’ve learned of extensive fraud and abuse. “A federal prosecutor said that at least half of the Medicaid funding for 14 Minnesota-run programs was stolen. “That’s at least $9 billion in taxpayer money. “In one case in California, over $50 million in Medicare benefits were stolen. “This is just one example of the pervasive fraud and abuse in California. “Los Angeles County alone accounts for about 34% of hospice care fraud in the U.S. “A CBS News study found that 93% of Los Angeles County hospice care providers have at least one indication of fraud. “Funds meant to support those in hospice are being used for personal gain. “Even in Nebraska, our state auditor has found abuse. “People live in homes worth half a million dollars and receive paychecks for over $100,000. “Then, they draw benefits from the Women, Infants, and Children or WIC Program. “WIC wasn’t designed for those folks. “WIC is a safety net designed to help women, infants, and children in need. “We must stop people from abusing this program and taking away resources from the people who it was meant for. “To build on these efforts, I co-founded the new Senate Anti-Fraud Task Force. “We are identifying vulnerabilities in existing programs. “We’re strengthening government accountability. “And we’re ensuring proper stewardship of taxpayer dollars. “The Government Accountability Office looked at fraud between 2018 and 2022. “They established between — they estimated rather, that between $233 billion and $521 billion a year in taxpayer money was being stolen. “We are working to stop this bleeding of taxpayer dollars. “I also have a bipartisan bill to increase transparency on improper federal payments. “Improper payments are when the government overpays, underpays, or pays the wrong person. “The Improper Payments Transparency Act would require the President to provide data on improper payments in the annual budget request. “Transparency brings accountability. “My bill is included in the Protecting American Taxpayers Act. “This is a legislative package to combat fraud, and we expect to vote on it soon. “The Working Families Tax Cuts also fights against fraud. “We placed work and eligibility requirements on Medicaid and SNAP. “We did this to prevent abuse of American taxpayer dollars, like what we are seeing in Nebraska. “Medicaid and SNAP should benefit moms and children, the elderly, and the disabled. “That’s who these programs were created for. “These reforms ensure that dead people do not remain enrolled on Medicaid. “They also make sure that people cannot be enrolled in multiple states. “As we often do, Nebraska led the nation to pursue work requirements for Medicaid expansion members. “To receive Medicaid, able-bodied Americans without young kids will need to be productive in their community. “Americans will have to contribute to their community by working, volunteering, or studying for 20 hours a week. “These work requirements are less restrictive than what is currently required for the Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, or TANF, program. “That’s not too much to ask. “These requirements will help preserve the programs for who they are designed for “These will also increase participation in the workforce and save taxpayers about $250 billion. “That’s a win-win-win. “We also tightened requirements on illegal immigrants. “Our system was never intended to subsidize non-Americans. “There were over 1.2 million illegal immigrants receiving Medicaid benefits. “These reforms make sure only Americans can get government assistance. “Fraudsters have stolen from Nebraskans and the American people for too long. “I am working to combat fraud, waste, and abuse. “We need to protect Americans, our tax dollars, and our values. “This is how we preserve our great nation for another 250 years.”",1,2026-07-17T07:15:58Z,2026-07-17T07:17:05Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-ricketts-commemorates-lindsey-graham/,VIDEO: Ricketts Commemorates Lindsey Graham,2026-07-16,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today on the Senate Floor, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) commemorated the life and legacy of Senator Lindsey Graham (R-SC). “Lindsey Graham was part of the glue for the Senate — not just for Republicans, but for Republicans and Democrats… When Lindsey would see an issue, he would hop on a plane and go fix it, whether it was overseas or in my home state of Nebraska,” said Ricketts. “Susanne and I are praying for Darline, and the rest of her family, and Lindsey’s staff at this tragic time. And indeed, for our entire country as we’ve experienced the loss of this larger-than-life patriot, Lindsey Olin Graham.” Watch the video here. TRANSCRIPT Senator Ricketts: “Mr. President, I rise today to talk about our colleague Lindsey Graham, who tragically passed away last weekend. “Lindsey Graham was the definition of the word patriot. “He loved this country and dedicated his life to serving this country. “He was from humble backgrounds. “His parents ran a bar, and again, tragically, he lost his parents at a young age. “His mom died when Lindsey was 20, and his dad died when he was 22. “And so, as a young man, he took over the care of his sister Darline, who was only 13 years old. “He was the first in his family to go to college and then got a law degree. “He joined the Air Force, and to help take care of his sister, he adopted her so she could get his Air Force benefits. “He served our country in the Air Force, the National Guard, and the Air Force Reserve. “Total of 33 years, retiring with the rank of colonel and a Bronze Star. “He began his career in politics in 1992 in the South Carolina Legislature and got elected to the U.S. Congress — the House of Representatives — in 1994. “He was the first Republican to be elected from his district since 1877. “He served in the House for eight years and then came to the Senate in 2002, taking over for Strom Thurmond. “And he has been a dynamic personality in this body. “And I’ve had the privilege to get to know him and call him my friend. “Lindsey Graham was part of the glue for the Senate — not just for Republicans, but for Republicans and Democrats “He worked across the aisle. “Just a few days ago, my colleague from Delaware was talking about how he worked with Lindsey Graham on a number of different items. “One was a conservation fund that also fights terrorism. “He remarked that Lindsey, in his way, was able to boil down why this was so important. “And had hats created that said, ‘Good for animals, bad for terrorists.’ “And that was very typical of Lindsey because he could boil things down very simply to be able to make a point, almost like a country lawyer. “He’d say, ‘How many people think that for example if Iran had a nuclear weapon, they’d use it on us? Raise your hand.’ “They’d raise their hands. “And he’d say, ‘How many people think it would be bad if they got a nuclear weapon?’ “Of course, all those people would raise their hands. “‘How many people think we should stop them from getting a nuclear weapon?’ “They’d raise their hands. “That’s the simple way that Lindsey would make his point. “He was super smart and had an incredible sense of humor. “It was not often fun if you were on the other side of that sense of humor sometimes. “At one of our Budget Committee hearings, Lindsey Graham was presiding, and we had one of our members who was going through all sorts of points and charts and so forth. “When the presentation came to an end, Lindsey Graham said something to the effect, ‘Well, next time we’re going to record that, and we’re taking it down to Gitmo because it’ll be more effective down there.’ “So, you wanted to make sure that you were talking to the right audience and making your points quickly with Lindsey. “He was also very charming and was very direct. “When he would go talk to foreign leaders, he would be able to get across those simple ideas the way he did with audiences back at home. “And be able to express directly through humor, through charming them. “To help them understand where their interests were aligned with our interests. “How we needed to work together to keep the people of their country safe and the people of our country safe. “Lindsey was very clear-eyed about the dangers of dictators like Vladimir Putin. “He understood that when Putin is losing, we’re winning. “We’re safer. “He was appalled by the invasion of Russia into Ukraine. “That unprovoked aggressive attack. “He was a fierce advocate for supporting Ukraine, not only because of the injustice of what Russia is doing to Ukraine, but because Lindsey understood what the threat to the United States and the people of American would be if Putin were successful. “If they’re successful in Ukraine, they’re going to go after a NATO member. “And then we will have boots on the ground in Europe. “Lindsey was trying to keep us safe by advocating for the Ukrainians. “When Lindsey would see an issue, he would hop on a plane and go fix it, whether it was overseas or in my home state of Nebraska. “He came to Nebraska several times. “I love the man. “I had the privilege of spending time with him here over the last three and a half years. “He liked Coke Zero and Riesling Wines. “He was charming, funny, intelligent, and dedicated to this country. “Our body and this country are losing a lot with Lindsey Graham. “We’re losing some of the humor we have. “We’re losing some of the glue that holds us together. “We’re losing a fierce patriot, and our country is the worse off for it. “Susanne and I are praying for Darline, and the rest of her family, and Lindsey’s staff at this tragic time. “And indeed, for our entire country as we’ve experienced the loss of this larger-than-life patriot, Lindsey Olin Graham. “Lindsey, I know you’re looking down on us from upstairs, and you’re going to do your best to guide us from up there. “We really, really miss you.”",1,2026-07-17T07:15:58Z,2026-07-17T07:17:05Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=CBDE990A-E16F-4AE2-848C-01FACF5F2640,Fischer Wildfire Disaster Assistance Bill Becomes Law,2026-07-15,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) issued the following statement after her bill, the Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act, became law: “Nebraska farmers and ranchers will directly benefit from this law, and I am proud to have gotten it across the finish line,” Fischer said. “I will be urging USDA to quickly issue new guidance to FSA so producers can begin receiving this improved assistance.” Fischer reintroduced this legislation on February 19, 2025. After returning from Nebraska to assess the Morrill fire damage with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, Fischer successfully passed the bill with a unanimous vote on the Senate floor. The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives on June 23, 2026. The legislation is supported by the Nebraska Cattlemen and the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation. Background The Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) were created to help to reduce the burden of natural disasters by providing producers with financial and technical assistance to repair and restore their land. These programs, however, are often slow to respond to wildfires, floods, and other disasters. This means producers face significant delays and red tape when trying to access financial assistance. For many producers, that significant time delay forces them to put off needed repair work, or risk beginning the recovery process without a guarantee of federal help. The Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act addresses these issues by reforming the programs. The bill specifically gives producers impacted by disasters the option to receive an advance on cost-sharing relief that is based on existing USDA estimates. This expedited option ensures family farmers and ranchers in dire need of help can begin the critical work of restoring their property to productive levels. The Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act also reframes eligibility for relief from wildfire damage to include any wildfire caused or spread due to natural causes, as well as wildfires caused by the federal government. ###",1,2026-07-16T07:21:44Z,2026-07-16T07:23:13Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-issues-statement-after-voting-to-support-perkins-county-canal-nebraska-water-infrastructure/,"Ricketts Issues Statement After Voting to Support Perkins County Canal, Nebraska Water Infrastructure",2026-07-15,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) issued the following statement after voting to pass the Water Resource Development Act (WRDA) in the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works: “The Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) is critical to addressing water infrastructure needs across Nebraska and the rest of the country. This legislation includes my efforts to address ice jams along the Missouri River. It also includes provisions to improve government efficiency and expedite a permit to construct the Perkins County Canal. Efficient, predictable regulatory frameworks drive down costs. I’m glad to support this effort on behalf of Nebraskans.” BACKGROUND: The Water Resource Development Act of 2026 (WRDA) includes an amendment from Senator Ricketts that would expedite permitting for Perkins County Canal construction. The legislation would require the Corps to issue a permit for construction before February 15, 2028. The legislation also addresses ice jams along the Missouri River, flood risk management on the Platte River, and reporting for the Wehrspann Lake spillway basin. The legislation would require the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to expedite its 408 permitting process and to brief the Environment and Public Works Committee on endangered species on the Missouri River. The legislation was voted out of committee unanimously.",1,2026-07-16T07:21:44Z,2026-07-16T07:23:13Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-america-is-safer-when-putin-loses/,VIDEO: “America is Safer When Putin Loses”,2026-07-15,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) joined a press conference announcing a bipartisan Russian sanctions bill. This legislation was the result of the late Senator Lindsey Graham’s tireless efforts to protect Americans against Vladimir Putin. Sanctioning Russia will prevent the spread of its aggression and keep Americans safe. “America is safer when Putin loses,” said Ricketts. “Lindsey Graham was very clear-eyed about the threat Vladimir Putin created for the United States — the threat he was to the United States. And he knew that we are safer with peace through strength. And that’s why Senator Graham pushed this bill so hard — to make America safer.” Watch the video here. TRANSCRIPT: “America is safer when Putin loses. “Lindsey Graham was very clear-eyed about the threat Vladimir Putin created for the United States — the threat he was to the United States. “And he knew that we are safer with peace through strength. “And that’s why Senator Graham pushed this bill so hard — to make America safer. “This bill will put additional sanctions on Putin, the oligarchs, businesspeople in Russia, banks, the shadow fleet, who allow the president to put up to 100% tariffs on people who are buying Russian oil. “Who are supporting the war machine that is terrorizing Ukraine. “If Putin were to be successful in Ukraine, he will move on NATO members and then we will be involved directly in the war. “This sanctions bill will allow us to continue to put pressure on Russia so that we can end this war before that happens and make sure Putin loses. “Senator Graham’s commitment to this bill is part of his commitment to keeping our country safe — and all our commitment to keeping this country safe. “And I want to thank all my colleagues who are standing up here and all the ones who are on this bill and support getting this bill passed as quickly as possible so we continue to let Putin know he will not win in Russia.”",1,2026-07-16T07:21:44Z,2026-07-16T07:23:13Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=0557C8D1-8EA4-4C12-83FD-15D1E475FAAF,Fischer Applauds $22M Grant for Gage County Infrastructure Improvement,2026-07-07,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Comes after Fischer secured over $4.7 million for project last year and urged Transportation Secretary to award the grant WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) issued the following statement on the U.S. Department of Transportation’s (DOT) awarding of a $22.6 million Better Utilizing Investments to Leverage Development (BUILD) grant to Gage County for Clatonia-DeWitt Road and Hickory Road improvements. “This project is important to the safety of travelers along the highway and will help the local ag industry move their products,” Fischer said. “I was proud to take the hard work of our local leaders to Secretary Duffy and convince DOT of the immediate need for this investment.” Emily Haxby, Gage County Supervisor, said, “We are incredibly excited to receive this BUILD grant. Thank you to our community volunteers, the public, the NDOT Infrastructure Hub, and Nebraska's federal delegation for helping make this project possible. This award shows what can be accomplished when local, state, and federal partners work together.” Background This BUILD grant funding will be used for roadway improvements and bridge replacements on Clatonia-DeWitt Road and Hickory Road. Clatonia-DeWitt Road begins in Clatonia, Nebraska, travels south on SW 100th Road, then west on W Chestnut Road to DeWitt, Nebraska. Hickory Road provides a connection between U.S. Highway 77 and Nebraska Highway 103. Fischer secured $4,733,354 for the project in the Fiscal Year 2026 Transportation, Housing, and Urban Development appropriations bill. In February of this year, Fischer wrote to U.S. Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy urging DOT to award Gage County a BUILD grant. See the DOT announcement here and a full list of grant awards here.",1,2026-07-08T07:27:19Z,2026-07-08T07:28:28Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-senate-republicans-launch-anti-fraud-task-force/,"Ricketts, Senate Republicans Launch Anti-Fraud Task Force",2026-07-02,2026,2026-07,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) joined U.S. Senator Eric Schmitt (R-MO) in announcing the launch of a new Senate Anti-Fraud Task Force. The Anti-Fraud Task Force will examine fraud, waste, and abuse across federal programs. It will also identify vulnerabilities in existing systems and strengthen government accountability to ensure the proper stewardship of taxpayer dollars. The U.S. Government Accountability Office released a report estimating that the government lost between $233 billion to $521 billion annually to fraud from 2018-2022. “We are days away from celebrating America’s 250th birthday. Preserving this great nation for another 250 years will require us to recommit to protecting Americans, our tax dollars, and our values. This includes combatting fraudsters that are stealing from Americans and driving up the cost of living. I am proud to join the Anti-Fraud Task Force and continue my efforts to fight waste, fraud, and abuse across our country,” said Senator Ricketts. “The fraud epidemic burdening our country is one of the most pressing issues facing Americans today. It’s organized theft on a national scale, and the Americans paying the price are the ones swinging the hammer and driving the trucks, working their tails off to make ends meet. The fraudsters taking advantage of America’s generosity to the tune of billions and billions of dollars should be exposed and held accountable. Our Task Force will go after the fraud rings and bad actors exploiting our systems and robbing Americans. Following President Trump’s lead, we’re declaring war on fraud,” said Senator Schmitt. Ricketts and Schmitt were joined by Tommy Tuberville (R-AL), Katie Britt (R-AL), Ashley Moody (R-FL), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Marsha Blackburn (R-TN), and Ron Johnson (R-WI).",1,2026-07-03T08:00:00Z,2026-07-03T08:01:30Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=BB50C678-5430-49BD-9D98-E4BEA9AB89F8,Fischer Applauds STRATCOM Launch of ETHEREAL FORGE,2026-06-26,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) issued the following statement on the launch of U.S. Strategic Command’s (STRATCOM) Joint Electromagnetic Spectrum Operations Center’s (JEC) new initiative, ETHEREAL FORGE, designed to accelerate the deployment of advanced electromagnetic warfare capabilities: “Modern warfare is constantly evolving, and the JEC is on the forefront of next-generation capabilities,” Fischer said. “ETHEREAL FORGE will streamline how our military leaders utilize spectrum and help us keep a strong warfighting advantage over our adversaries.” Through her roles on the Senate Armed Services Committee and Senate Appropriations Committee, Fischer has secured significant investments and National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA) provisions supporting JEC and Joint Electronic Spectrum Operations (JEMSO). In the Fiscal Year 2026 appropriations bill, Fischer included $9 million for JEC to test and evaluate advanced electromagnetic warfare technologies. In the Fiscal Year 2026 NDAA, Fischer designated STRATCOM’s JEMSO office as the lead entity for coordinating evaluation of joint deployment Dynamic Spectrum Sharing (DDS) technologies. In the Fiscal Year 2024 NDAA, Fischer included a provision restructuring the Department of Defense’s electronic warfare activities to more effectively align under the JEMSO office at STRATCOM. Background ETHEREAL FORGE supports the United States and its allies in maintaining a technological edge by focusing on Modular Open Systems Approach (MOSA) compatible systems. MOSA is a “plug-and-play” design approach that allows the Department of Defense to upgrade systems quickly and more affordably by using compatible parts from multiple manufacturers. This initiative provides an operationally relevant environment to accelerate the maturation and fielding of software-centric electronic warfare capabilities, significantly reducing time-to-field. By establishing a standardized infrastructure, this initiative enables a modular ecosystem that integrates flexible, best-of-breed applications, allowing operators to efficiently tailor EMS operations system configurations to mission-specific requirements. Read more from STRATCOM here.",1,2026-06-27T06:16:17Z,2026-06-27T06:17:30Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-making-the-good-life-affordable-for-all-nebraskans/,VIDEO: Making the Good Life Affordable for All Nebraskans,2026-06-26,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, during his weekly press call with Nebraska media, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) highlighted his work in the Senate to make the Good Life affordable for all Nebraskans. Ricketts discussed how the Trump Accounts invest in the next generation of Nebraskans. He also highlighted wins for families in the Working Families Tax Cuts. “In the Senate, I’m fighting to renew the American dream,” said Ricketts. “The Working Families Tax Cuts invest in American families and the next generation. With my Senate Republican colleagues, we’re building a path for 250 more years of the Good Life in Nebraska. The Working Families Tax Cuts was great for families.” Watch the video here. TRANSCRIPT: “Our country was founded on the belief that all Americans have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. “These building blocks make the American dream possible. “We live in a nation of opportunity. “A nation that enables kids to have it better than their parents, and a nation that believes that hard work leads to success. “For the last 250 years, Americans from all backgrounds have achieved their American dream. “In the Senate, I’m fighting to renew the American dream. “The Working Families Tax Cuts invest in American families and the next generation. “With my Senate Republican colleagues, we’re building a path for 250 more years of the Good Life in Nebraska. “The Working Families Tax Cuts was great for families. “One of the ways we’re supporting Nebraskans is with the new Trump Accounts. “These investment accounts will kick start the American dream for kids. “You can download the app now. “Starting on July 4th, Nebraskans will be able to start opening these accounts. “All American kids under the age of 18 are eligible for Trump Accounts. “Those born between January 1, 2025 and December 31, 2028 will be able to enroll in accounts that will automatically have $1,000 deposited. “This investment will be provided by the U.S. Treasury. “Parents and guardians will be the custodians for the accounts, but kids will own them. “At age 18, the Trump Accounts will be theirs. “These accounts will work like traditional Individual Retirement Accounts. “Up to $5,000 a year can be deposited into the Trump Account. “Parents and family members, churches, community groups, nonprofits, and even employers can contribute. “Many have already committed to contributing. “For example, Michael and Susan Dell have donated $6.25 billion. “Thanks to the Dells’ unprecedented gift, the first 25 million American children age 10 and under living in zip codes with a median income below $150,000 will receive an additional $250. “Charles Schwab will match the government’s $1,000 investment for the families that work for them as well. “Our state government will open accounts for all foster kids in Nebraska. “These Fostering the Future accounts work just the same, making sure young Nebraskans in foster care, when they turn 18, they’ll get a little extra financial help. “This is money that young Nebraskans can put toward college, buying their first home, or starting a business. “For the children whose accounts will start with $1,000, additional contributions are not required. “The accounts will still grow. “As these accounts launch, we will provide more details. “Another way we are investing in our children and families is with the expansion of the Child Tax Credit. “Without the Working Families Tax Cuts, the Child Tax Credit was set to decrease by $1,000, but Senate Republicans increased the Child Tax Credit to $2,200 a year per child and made it permanent. “This will benefit over 239,000 Nebraska families. “Increasing the Child Tax Credit allows families to have more money to put in their pockets. “We want to encourage Americans to work hard for their families. “This is what keeps the American dream alive. “The Working Families Tax Cuts also provides an increase in the Child and Dependent Tax Credit, as well. “We increased the maximum tax credit rate from 25% to 50%, and we also increased the tax deduction from $5,000 to $7,500 for dependent care. “We made the first-ever permanent Paid Family Medical Leave Credit based on legislation from Senator Deb Fischer. “We expanded tax credits for employer-provided child care, and created new credits for small businesses. “We also extended the ABLE Accounts, which otherwise would have expired in 2025. “These accounts help individuals with disabilities to save and invest through tax-free savings without losing eligibility for federal programs like Medicaid and Supplemental Security Income. “These are real investments in American families and the next generation. “And I want to note that every Democrat — every single one — voted against these provisions. “Senate Republicans are the ones renewing opportunity for our kids’ futures and supporting our working families. “We’re encouraging and supporting the American dream. “We’re making the good life more attainable for all Nebraskans.”",1,2026-06-27T06:16:17Z,2026-06-27T06:17:30Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-ricketts-fights-to-make-american-dream-good-life-more-attainable-for-nebraska-families/,"VIDEO: Ricketts Fights to Make American Dream, Good Life More Attainable for Nebraska Families",2026-06-26,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week on the Senate Floor, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) discussed his work to support the American Dream and make the Good Life more attainable for the next generation of Nebraskans. He highlighted how the Working Families Tax Cuts invest in American families and children. This includes the new Trump Accounts and the expansion of the Child Tax Credit. “For over 250 years, people from all backgrounds have been able to work hard and to achieve the American Dream,” said Ricketts. “And here in the United States Senate, I am fighting to renew the American dream. One of the ways that we have done that, with my Senate Republican colleagues, is the Working Families Tax Cuts that we passed last year. The Working Families Tax Cuts invests in American families and in American children.” Watch the video here. TRANSCRIPT Senator Ricketts: “Mr. President, our country was founded on the belief that all Americans have the right to pursue life, liberty, and happiness. “It’s fundamental to who we are as Americans. “And these are the building blocks of the American dream. “We live in a nation of opportunity. “We live in a nation that enables kids to have it better than their parents. “A nation that believes that hard work leads to success. “And for over 250 years, people from all backgrounds have been able to work hard and to achieve the American dream. “And here in the United States Senate, I am fighting to renew the American dream. “One of the ways that we have done that, with my Senate Republican colleagues, is the Working Families Tax Cuts that we passed last year. The Working Families Tax Cuts invests in American families and in American children. It invests in the next generation. “With my Senate colleagues, on the Republican side, we’re building a path for another 250 years of opportunity for this great nation and for the children and families in this great nation. “The Working Families Tax Cut was great for families. “One of the ways that it was great for families and for Nebraskans in my state, is with the Trump Accounts that were part of that overall package. “These are investment accounts that will kick-start the American dream for kids all across this nation. “You can download the app right now. “Starting on July 4, Nebraskans and all Americans will be able to start opening up these accounts. “All American kids under the age of 18 will be eligible to have one of these accounts. “And those born between January 1, 2025, and December 31, 2028, will also be able to enroll and automatically have $1,000 put into their account, courtesy of the U.S. Treasury, to be able to help kick-start that American dream. “Parents and guardians will be the custodians of these accounts, but the children will own them, and when those kids turn 18, they’ll be able to take possession of those Trump Accounts. “These accounts work like traditional retirement accounts. “Up to $5,000 a year can be put into these accounts, these Trump Accounts. And it can come from your parents, grandparents. It can come from communities. It can come from churches. It can come from governments. It can come from nonprofits, employers can contribute. “And help build that foundation for those young people to be able to achieve the American dream. “Many have already committed to contributing to Trump Accounts. “For example, Michael and Susan Dell have donated $6.25 billion to the first 25 million American kids who sign up for these accounts that also reside in zip codes with a median income that’s below $150,000. “That means that each one of those kids will get about $250 on top of the $1,000 that the treasury’s putting in. “Charles Schwab has said he will match the government’s $1,000 with another $1,000 for all the people who work at his company. “These are just a couple of examples of how philanthropists are working together with the U.S. Government to be able to kick-start young people’s American dreams through these Trump Accounts. “In my home state of Nebraska, our state government is going to open accounts for all the foster kids in Nebraska. “These Fostering the Future Accounts will work just the same, making sure that young Nebraskans in foster care have a little extra financial help. “This money is so that these young Nebraskans can put it toward college, buying their first home, or starting a business. “For children whose accounts start with $1,000, additional contributions will not be required. “The accounts will still grow. “And these accounts will help launch those kids into their future. “Another way we are investing in our children and families is with the expansion of the Child Tax Credit. “In The Working Families Tax Cut, we increased that Child Tax Credit to $2,200 and made it permanent. “It was set to fall to $1,000, but Senate Republicans made it permanent and took it up. “The Child Tax Credit will benefit over 239,000 Nebraska families. “Increasing the Child Tax Credit allows these families to have more money in their pockets, and we want to encourage Americans to work hard and support their families. “This is what keeps the American dream alive. “The Working Families Tax Cut also provides an increase in the Child and Dependent Tax Cut. “We increased the maximum credit from 25% up to 50%, and we took the increased tax deduction up from $5,000 to $7,500. “We made the first ever permanent Paid Medical Leave Tax Credit, based on legislation from Senator Deb Fischer. “This will encourage our businesses to offer that benefit to families all across the nation. “We expanded the tax credits for employer-provided childcare, and created new credits for small businesses to be able to create childcare at work. “We also extended the Able Accounts, which otherwise would have expired in 2025. “These accounts help individuals with disabilities to save and invest through tax-free savings, without losing eligibility for federal programs like Medicaid and supplemental security income. “These are real investments in American families and the next generation. “And similar to my colleague from Wyoming who pointed this out, every single Democrat — every single one — voted against these provisions that would help young Americans be able to achieve the American dream. “Every single Democrat voted against them. “Senate Republicans, by contrast, are fighting in the U.S. Senate to renew opportunity for our kids’ futures and supporting families in our country. “We’re encouraging and supporting the American dream. “And we’re making it possible for the Good Life to be more attainable for all Nebraskans.”",1,2026-06-27T06:16:17Z,2026-06-27T06:17:30Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=0497B97F-0DF7-4E55-A16E-B77414F1FEDF,ICYMI: Fischer Prescribes U.S. Strategic Deterrence Strategy for Indo-Pacific,2026-06-25,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) delivered the keynote address at the Washington Times’ Threat Status 2026 INDOPAC event. In her speech, she outlined her policy agenda on how to deter China by investing in our nuclear triad, revitalizing the U.S. defense industrial base, and supporting Golden Dome for America. Watch Fischer’s speech here or by clicking the image above. Fischer’s remarks as prepared for delivery: Good morning. It's a pleasure to be here with all of you. I want to spend my time today discussing the strategic environment America faces in the Indo-Pacific, the steps Congress is taking today to modernize our forces to meet tomorrow's threats, and the work that lies ahead to ensure the United States deters the Chinese Communist Party. Informed discussions about U.S. investment priorities — whether nuclear modernization, shipbuilding, or autonomy — require a clear understanding of how fundamentally the geopolitical environment has shifted. For the first time in history, the United States faces two peer nuclear adversaries at once. In addition to Russia, China is expanding its nuclear arsenal at a breathtaking pace – consistently exceeding U.S. estimates. China is building new missile silos, increasing its warhead stockpile, and rapidly developing the full range of nuclear delivery systems. This is not the strategic environment we planned for. The structure of our nuclear forces today was determined during a very different geopolitical moment. The prevailing consensus was that China would remain a more limited strategic competitor. Those assumptions have been proven wrong. China is now an increasingly capable strategic rival. President Xi is working with our persistent adversaries — Iran, Russia, and North Korea. They are sharing weapons, technology, resources, and strategic objectives. Together, these countries are working to challenge American power, undermine stability, and threaten international security. That reality should inject urgency into everything we do — from force modernization to industrial capacity to alliance coordination to modernizing the bedrock of our national security: our nuclear triad. Our nuclear arsenal remains the foundation of American security, which means that maintaining the credibility of our deterrent must be a national priority. This means getting Sentinel back on track. The missile and warhead components are progressing, while much of the challenge lies in the infrastructure — the launch facilities and command centers that support the system. We now have a Direct Reporting Portfolio Manager overseeing the ICBM enterprise, with centralized authorities and direct reporting lines to the Pentagon’s senior leadership. Major design and contract decisions are expected soon, which will provide greater clarity on the program’s cost and schedule. Getting Sentinel right is critical to maintaining credible deterrence. Beyond the ICBM force, we must also ensure the rest of the nuclear triad remains strong. The current force structure – which again was set forth in a very different geopolitical environment – is not sufficient. We must size our forces to meet tomorrow’s threats — not yesterday’s assumptions. We must expand our bomber force beyond just the program of record. Considering STRATCOM’s and PACOM’s requirements, 100 bombers won’t be enough. We need at least 200 to meet current demands. Additionally, given the threat posed by China, the president should have a full array of options to respond to limited nuclear strikes and deter our adversaries from employing an escalate-to-deescalate strategy. That's why I fought to authorize over $250 million for the nuclear-powered sea-launched cruise missile in the Senate version of this year’s NDAA. It’s also why I included a provision to authorize the development of two additional theater-range nuclear capabilities. Without these theater-range capabilities, the United States risks ceding strategic advantages to China in the Pacific that could undermine U.S. maritime power in the region. Of course, having a modern, credible nuclear deterrent with the right mix of capabilities is of little use without the assured ability of the president to command, control, and communicate with those forces. That’s why a major focus of mine is not just modernizing our nuclear deterrent but also our NC3 systems. In the Senate FY27 NDAA, I included a provision limiting funds for the Secretary of the Air Force until the acquisition strategy for the Airborne Command Post capability has been delivered. This capability is important to ensuring command and control of nuclear forces in a crisis. There is another hard truth we must reckon with. The demand for ships and submarines is outpacing our building capacity. Meanwhile, China's shipbuilding capacity, in tonnage, is roughly 230 times greater than ours. The bipartisan Strategic Posture Commission said it clearly back in 2023. We need more nuclear-capable shipyard capacity. We need higher submarine production rates. And we need more missile capacity across our existing fleet. I believe the Navy should build additional shipyards that can maintain nuclear-powered ships and submarines. This will be expensive. It will take time. But we simply cannot meet future demand without more nuclear shipyards. During the Cold War, we had twice as many public shipyards as we do today. Right now, we're not even on track to meet our basic goal of producing two Virginia-class submarines and one Columbia-class submarine every year. And we're certainly not ready to take on any additional nuclear shipbuilding. We will need more Virginia-class submarines for the AUKUS security pact we agreed to with Australia and the United Kingdom. We will likely need more SSN(X) and Columbia-class submarines in the 2030s and 2040s. I also continue to prioritize strengthening our nuclear industrial base. After the Cold War, we essentially abandoned our nuclear enterprise. We let facilities age and capabilities atrophy. Now, we must modernize our entire nuclear enterprise – much of which contains one-of-a-kind facilities or date back to the Manhattan project era – without disrupting weapons production. The Strategic Posture Commission was clear that the nuclear industrial base is a national security vulnerability. The U.S. is not producing enough scientists, engineers, or skilled technicians. Part of remedying this means providing NNSA and the National Labs with the flexibility to recruit and retain talent competitively. But the private sector must play a larger role in developing the workforce needed to sustain this industrial base. These investments must not just focus on capital assets but must also include workforce development. We should be building stronger vocational pipelines, apprenticeship programs, and partnerships with technical colleges across the country. We need more welders, machinists, pipefitters, engineers, and technicians — and we need to treat workforce development with the same strategic urgency as weapons design. At the end of the day, our ability to modernize U.S. shipbuilding and scale the industrial base hinges on a workforce aligned with the magnitude of the task. Although it may not seem like it, another key influencer of U.S. maritime power in the Indo-Pacific region is homeland defense. That’s because China has systems capable of holding U.S.-based assets at risk. The greater our vulnerability to homeland attacks, the more challenging it will be to project and employ power in the region during a conflict with China. This brings us to Golden Dome. The United States needs a stronger missile defense system. That's why, in 2024, I introduced legislation requiring the Secretary of Defense and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff to develop a comprehensive integrated air and missile defense architecture for the United States, which was ultimately included in the FY2025 NDAA. When President Trump began his second term, he supercharged these efforts. He brought the attention, the energy, and the resources needed. He did this by establishing Golden Dome for America. His focus here is welcome because the threat is real, and it's growing. China has built the world's most advanced hypersonic arsenal. And China has historically run up to twenty times more test flights than we have. It should alarm every American that our adversaries are racing ahead with these weapons. While the United States is protected against a limited ICBM attack from a rogue nation by ground-based interceptors in Alaska and California, these systems were never built to stop advanced cruise and hypersonic missiles. This is precisely why Golden Dome is essential. As Chair of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, I'm working closely with General Guetlein and Department leadership as they finalize the design, the schedule, and the long-term funding needs. We provided initial funding last year. And I used this year's NDAA to update the annual reporting requirement for Golden Dome to help keep it on track. But this is going to require sustained investment over many years. Last August, I traveled to the Indo-Pacific. I visited Taiwan, Palau, Guam, and the Philippines. And earlier this year, I visited China. These trips made one thing clear. It is critical that we support our allies and partners in the region. We also need to ensure our U.S. presence in the Indo-Pacific is well defended, including over 170,000 U.S. citizens on Guam. I also secured a requirement for full, 360-degree radar coverage around Guam in this year’s NDAA. And I authorized the funding to make that happen. Taken together, these provisions send a clear message that America's capabilities remain strong and credible to project power and deter Chinese aggression. Let me close with this. We face serious challenges as we navigate China’s growing military buildup in the region. But with strong leadership and sustained investment, we can maintain a free and open Indo-Pacific. Thank you. ###",1,2026-06-26T06:29:35Z,2026-06-26T06:31:46Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=26A3523F-2560-4573-81C7-47790F797854,"Fischer, NE Delegation Urge Disaster Declaration for Nebraska Storms",2026-06-24,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE), and U.S. Representatives Mike Flood (NE-01), Don Bacon (NE-02), and Adrian Smith (NE-03) sent a letter to President Donald Trump supporting Governor Jim Pillen’s request for a major disaster designation for the severe storms and flooding from May 15-18 of 2026 in Nebraska. The requested declaration would apply to Buffalo, Fillmore, Gage, Howard, Jefferson, Nemaha, Thayer and Thurston counties. Read the letter below: Dear Mr. President: We write in support of Governor Jim Pillen’s request for a major disaster declaration, which followed severe storms that resulted in tornadoes, extreme straight-line winds and flash flooding, for the Nebraska counties of Buffalo, Fillmore, Gage, Howard, Jefferson, Nemaha, Thayer and Thurston over the period of May 15-18 of 2026. These severe storms caused widespread damage across Nebraska, including to schools, buildings, and roadways, along with downed power poles and lines. Several counties also faced significant debris cleanup, while emergency shelters were opened in areas where residents had been displaced. The total damage estimates now exceed $4.9 million. We know Nebraska communities will once again demonstrate their resilience as they recover from these storms. We encourage the federal government to join with the state in their ongoing efforts to recover from these storms and provide assistance where it is needed. We stand ready and willing to assist in any way possible to ensure prompt evaluation of this request. Please do not hesitate to contact our offices with any questions. View a copy of the transmitted letter here. ###",1,2026-06-25T06:30:03Z,2026-06-25T06:31:21Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=868B9658-78FB-479C-A22F-A0A0BC278690,Fischer Introduces Bill Addressing Firefighter Equipment Safety,2026-06-24,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), John Curtis (R-UT), and Peter Welch (D-VT) have introduced the Protecting Firefighters and Advancing State-of-the-Art (PFAS) Alternatives Act to authorize grant funding for new protective gear for firefighters free of forever chemicals. “Our firefighters put everything on the line to keep us safe, and it’s our job to make sure they are taken care of,” Fischer said. “This bill gives us the resources for producing next-generation protective gear, free of PFAS chemicals, to protect the health and safety of firefighters in Nebraska and across the nation.” “Our first responders put their lives on the line every day to protect our communities, and too many suffer or lose their lives from cancers caused by toxic exposures on the job — including from harmful PFAS chemicals in their protective gear. Our firefighters shouldn’t have to worry that the gear designed to protect them is putting their health at risk,” Heinrich said. “That’s why I’m leading legislation to invest in the next-generation PFAS-free firefighting gear. Because we need to do more to protect the people who protect all of us.” “Utah’s firefighters shouldn’t have to worry that the gear designed to keep them safe could expose them to harmful chemicals,” Curtis said. “This bipartisan legislation invests in the research needed to improve turnout gear, helping ensure firefighters have the proper protective equipment they deserve.” “From Vermont to Idaho and everywhere in between, firefighters put their lives on the line every day to keep our communities safe. Their line of work is already hazardous enough without having to deal with toxic chemical exposure from the very gear meant to protect them,” Welch said. “I’m proud to work across the aisle on this legislation to support investments into developing new, PFAS-free turnout gear that protects firefighters across the country.” The PFAS Alternatives Act would authorize $25 million annually for fiscal years 2027-2031 for grants to develop new protective gear. The research will be conducted in a partnership between firefighters and scientists to achieve goals such as: PFAS chemical free gear Improved resistance to carcinogens and chemicals from fires and other emergencies situations Better accounting for varied individual firefighter’s body times and composition Background Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS), often called “forever chemicals,” are a hazardous group of compounds used in the production of modern firefighting protective gear and are linked to an increased cancer risk among firefighters. Research has associated PFAS exposure with serious health effects, including cancer, kidney disease, and reproductive harm. Additionally, the textiles used in protective gear can absorb carcinogens encountered during fires and other emergency responses, and these contaminants are not completely eliminated through standard laundering processes. Although materials science has advanced, protective gear continues to be a source of carcinogenic exposure for firefighters. Beyond PFAS-related risks, the gear can weigh nearly 45 pounds, restrict mobility, and lack features to indicate when cleaning or maintenance is necessary. This legislation has been introduced in the House of Representatives by U.S. Reps. Debbie Dingell (MI-06) and Sam Graves (MO-06) and has been referred to the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology and the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. See full bill text here. ###",1,2026-06-25T06:30:03Z,2026-06-25T06:31:21Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-ricketts-on-improving-cost-of-living-for-nebraskans/,VIDEO: Ricketts on Improving Cost of Living for Nebraskans,2026-06-24,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) discussed his work to drive down the cost of living for Nebraskans. Ricketts highlighted his efforts to pass year-round E15. “Biofuels are a win-win-win. They save consumers money at the pump, help clean up the environment, and are good for our farmers and ranchers,” said Ricketts. “If we pass E-15, that would allow for even more savings for Americans, put more money back in Americans’ pockets.” Ricketts also celebrated Senate passage of the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. This legislation will make housing more affordable for Nebraskans. It will increase housing stock, cut through burdensome red tape, and streamline building processes. “That is the goal of what we are doing here with the 21st Century housing bill is to try and find more ways to create more housing stock,” said Ricketts. “We are working on making housing more affordable for Nebraskans.” Watch the video here.",1,2026-07-01T06:34:07Z,2026-07-01T06:35:35Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=0C83034A-7D0F-4C69-891B-4BB5479C4D2E,Fischer Secures Key Farm Bill Wins,2026-06-23,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) issued the following statement after the release of Farm Bill legislative text, which includes several of her priorities, by the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: “Producers in Nebraska and across the country are working under an outdated Farm Bill,” Fischer said. “We got a large portion of it done in the Working Families Tax Cuts, but we need to finish the job. I thank Chairman Boozman for his leadership and working with me to secure some real victories for our farmers and ranchers.” The Farm Bill legislative text contains several of Fischer’s top priorities including: PRECISE Act The Producing Responsible Energy and Conservation Incentives and Solutions for the Environment (PRECISE) Act provides a suite of financial tools to help farmers and ranchers of all sizes increase their adoption of precision ag technologies through existing U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) conservation programs. Read more. PAL Act The Precision Agriculture Loan (PAL) Act creates a program within USDA to provide loan financing to farmers and ranchers interested in purchasing precision agriculture equipment. Read more. LAST ACRE Act The Linking Access to Spur Technology for Agriculture Connectivity in Rural Environments (LAST ACRE) Act creates a new Last Acre Program at the USDA Office of Rural Development to expand network connectivity across farmland and ranchland. Read more. Increasing Tribal Input on Nutrition Act This legislation prevents future food shortages by requiring USDA to incorporate Tribal input in contracting decisions. It also strengthens USDA’s emergency response during disruptions and allows for tribal consultation on nutrition programs in the state. Read more. FENCE Act Championed by Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Fischer co-led the Fencing Eligibility for New Conservation Equipment (FENCE) Act to authorize USDA to include virtual fencing as an option for farmers and ranchers under the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP). Including virtual fencing in the program provides American farmers and ranchers with greater flexibility to rebuild and recover. Read more. See full Farm Bill text here. ###",1,2026-06-24T06:25:30Z,2026-06-24T06:26:49Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=3DC81A7E-EA60-455D-9F2D-510C395D6FBC,To the President’s Desk: Fischer Bill to Expedite Wildfire Disaster Relief,2026-06-23,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed Senator Deb Fischer’s (R-NE) Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act to expedite ag producers’ access to federal disaster relief under the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP). This legislation passed the Senate on March 24, 2026, and will now be sent to the president’s desk to be signed into law. “This is great news for farmers and ranchers in Nebraska who suffered devastating losses from wildfires this spring,” Fischer said. “Producers need this assistance as soon as possible, and we’ve helped make sure bureaucracy doesn’t stand in the way. I thank my colleagues in both chambers of Congress for understanding the urgency of getting this done.” Fischer reintroduced this legislation on February 19, 2025. After returning from Nebraska for visits assessing the Morrill fire damage with U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins, Fischer successfully passed the bill with a unanimous vote on the Senate floor. This legislation is supported by the Nebraska Cattlemen and the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation. Craig Uden, President, Nebraska Cattlemen, said, “We cannot overstate the importance of this legislation for cattle producers in the Beef State as we continue recovering from the devastating wildfires our industry has faced. Our livelihoods depend on rebuilding quickly, and we cannot afford delays caused by unnecessary red tape. We thank Senator Fischer for her leadership in ensuring Nebraska’s beef producers have the flexibility needed to move forward with recovery and rebuilding.” Mark McHargue, President, Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation, said, “For many, federal disaster assistance programs work too slowly and often require farm and ranch families to battle through layers of red tape and bureaucratic hurdles. The passage of Nebraska Senator Deb Fischer's Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act through the House now sends the bill to President Trump's desk to be signed into law. The flexibilities and reforms found in this new bill will ensure farmers and ranchers can receive aid when they need it the most.” Background The Emergency Conservation Program (ECP) and Emergency Forest Restoration Program (EFRP) were created to help to reduce the burden of natural disasters by providing producers with financial and technical assistance to repair and restore their land. These programs, however, are often slow to respond to wildfires, floods, and other disasters. This means producers face significant delays and red tape when trying to access financial assistance. For many producers, that significant time delay forces them to put off needed repair work, or risk beginning the recovery process without a guarantee of federal help. The Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act addresses these issues by reforming the programs. The bill specifically gives producers impacted by disasters the option to receive an advance on cost-sharing relief that is based on existing USDA estimates. This expedited option ensures family farmers and ranchers in dire need of help can begin the critical work of restoring their property to productive levels. The Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act also reframes eligibility for relief from wildfire damage to include any wildfire caused or spread due to natural causes, as well as wildfires caused by the federal government. ###",1,2026-06-24T06:25:30Z,2026-06-24T06:26:49Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=58F95F50-EF0C-4860-8F91-EECDF5507B9D,Fischer Statement on Memorandum of Understanding with Iran,2026-06-18,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, released the following statement after the signing of the memorandum of understanding (MOU) between the United States and Iran: “I commend President Trump for taking decisive action with the goal of eliminating Iran’s nuclear weapons capability. After much progress, I’m urging the administration to not lose sight of that objective. The president has put us in a position of strength. We cannot afford to squander it. I want more details from the administration on how the final deal will put America first, limit the regime’s ballistic missiles, and verifiably ensure Iran turns over its highly enriched uranium.” Permalink: https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2026/6/fischer-statement-on-memorandum-of-understanding-with-iran",1,2026-06-24T06:25:30Z,2026-06-24T06:26:49Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=D8D61E5C-9527-434B-8399-651A0172FF46,Senate Passes Fischer Broadband Map Oversight Bill,2026-06-18,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Senator Catherine Cortez Masto’s (D-NV) bill, the Modernization, Accountability, and Planning (MAP) for Broadband Funding Act, to make sure the Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Broadband Funding Map is working effectively for the public, government agencies, and broadband providers. “I’ve spent years working to connect Nebraskans, and Americans across the country, with reliable internet access. The Broadband Funding Map is essential to that goal,” Fischer said. “This bill will help us make the most of broadband buildout while safeguarding taxpayer dollars. I’m committed to delivering this bill to the president’s desk.” “It is past time every American had access to fast, reliable internet,” Cortez Masto said. “As funding continues to go out the door to connect our communities, this bipartisan, commonsense bill will help ensure that all federal agencies are working together to close the digital divide as quickly and efficiently as possible.” Download video of Fischer’s remarks here Download audio of Fischer’s remarks here Fischer’s remarks as prepared: Mr. President, I rise today to discuss an issue near and dear to the state of Nebraska and rural America. That is the issue of closing the digital divide for unserved and underserved communities. My husband Bruce and I raised our family on a cattle ranch near Valentine, Nebraska. So, I know what it means to live in a community where reliable internet is a luxury, not a given. And I know the opportunities rural America is missing as a result, from education and telehealth to entrepreneurship and precision agriculture. Over the past decade, Congress has provided tens of billions of dollars for hundreds of programs administered by more than a dozen federal agencies. The centerpiece of that investment was the BEAD Program, a more than $40 billion broadband deployment initiative included in the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act and enacted into law nearly five years ago. As part of that legislation, I worked in a bipartisan fashion with Senator Cortez Masto to create the Broadband Funding Map, an FCC tool that provides a public overview of broadband infrastructure deployment projects funded with federal dollars. But now, we must ask: are those dollars making a difference for the families, businesses, and communities, who need them most? The American people, federal agencies, and broadband providers deserve clarity so they can make informed decisions about where additional investment is needed. This will also help avoid duplicative federal spending. Since then, we have identified a need for fresh oversight of the FCC’s management of this tool. That is why Senator Cortez Masto and I introduced the MAP for Broadband Funding Act. At its core, this bill is about accountability. It will strengthen oversight of the Federal Communications Commission and direct it to review how usable and accurate that map really is for the public and providers. It also tasks the Government Accountability Office with ensuring federal agencies are reporting information correctly. If the map is flawed, then the billions of dollars tied to it risk missing the mark. Mr. President, I am proud that this bipartisan bill cleared the Senate Commerce Committee unanimously in February. Now, it is time for the full Senate to pass it too. Americans will be better connected and better served because of it. Background: Fischer originally created the Broadband Funding Map as part of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law. With oversight needed to guarantee federal agencies are utilizing the map to its full potential, the MAP for Broadband Funding Act will help to ensure agencies reliably report their funding data to the FCC in a complete and timely manner. Fischer and Cortez Masto introduced this bill on July 31, 2025. The legislation passed the U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation—of which Fischer chairs the Subcommittee on Telecommunications and Media—on February 12, 2026. ###",1,2026-06-19T06:50:32Z,2026-06-19T06:53:40Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-introduces-bill-to-improve-snap-efficiency/,Ricketts Introduces Bill to Improve SNAP Efficiency,2026-06-18,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) introduced the SNAP Staffing Flexibility Act. This bill would make the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) more efficient and reduce application backlogs by allowing limited term contractors. This would allow state agencies to make eligibility determinations and distribute benefits to those who need them more quickly. “When Americans apply for SNAP, they need timely approval,” said Ricketts. “Backlogs can overwhelm state departments that provides these services. This bill would allow state agencies to hire contractors when they don’t have sufficient staff. That way, Nebraskans can get the SNAP benefits they need on time.” The SNAP Staffing Flexibility Act would: Allow a state agency to hire contractors to perform Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) certification and application intake under certain conditions, including: temporary staffing shortages, seasonal workforce shortages, pandemics and other health emergencies, and natural disasters. Require the Secretary of Agriculture to create a report of measures taken to address increases in SNAP program applications and any inabilities to process them. This bill was introduced by Rep. Don Bacon (R-NE-2) and is included in the House-passed Farm Bill.",1,2026-06-19T06:50:32Z,2026-06-19T06:53:40Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-introduces-bipartisan-bill-to-strengthen-bank-fintech-partnerships/,Ricketts Introduces Bipartisan Bill to Strengthen Bank-Fintech Partnerships,2026-06-18,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV) introduced the Bank-Fintech Partnership Enhancement Act. This bill would require a comprehensive study on partnerships between financial technology (fintech) companies and small-to-medium sized banks and credit unions. Strengthening these partnerships can help banks and credit unions better serve Americans in rural communities. “Technology should make banking easier, not harder,” said Senator Ricketts. “My Bank-Fintech Partnership Enhancement Act is a step toward doing just that. Community banks and credit unions are the backbone of Nebraska’s rural communities. By studying the role of fintech services in small-to-medium sized banks, we can help these institutions cut costs, compete, and better serve Nebraskans.” “Emerging technology has revolutionized the banking sector, and it’s our responsibility to ensure that these new resources are safely and effectively put to work helping our communities,” said Senator Cortez Masto. “By exploring how credit unions and community banks can best utilize fintech, we can expand access to banking services, protect the privacy of Americans’ financial information, and bolster consumer protections.” The Bank-Fintech Partnership Enhancement Act would: Direct the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Comptroller of the Currency, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to conduct a comprehensive study on partnerships between fintech companies, banks, and credit unions. The study would assess the extent to which these partnerships support community bank health, as well as their impact on the banking sector, competition, innovation, consumer protection, and the availability of financial products and services; Require the Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System, the Comptroller of the Currency, the National Credit Union Administration, and the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation to submit a report to Congress within a year after passage. This bill was introduced by Reps. Andy Barr (R-KY-6) and Josh Gottheimer (D-NJ-5) in the House. This bipartisan bill passed through House Financial Services Committee by a unanimous vote of 53-0.",1,2026-06-19T06:50:32Z,2026-06-19T06:53:40Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-statement-on-signing-of-u-s-iran-mou/,Ricketts Statement on Signing of U.S.-Iran MOU,2026-06-18,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) released the following statement after the signing of the U.S.-Iran memorandum of understanding (MOU): “I am deeply grateful for our brave service women and men who have executed Operation Epic Fury. We will never forget those who lost their lives in defense of our freedom, including Nebraska’s own Noah Tietjens. Our military’s actions significantly degraded Iran’s nuclear weapons and ballistic missiles programs, as well as other military assets. A nation that chants ‘death to America’ can never be allowed to obtain a nuclear weapon. I am hopeful that the MOU will lay the foundation for a lasting diplomatic solution. I will also be following what economic benefits Iran may be receiving from this deal and in what time frame. Nebraskans deserve to know how this MOU will impact our country. I look forward to the Administration providing more details in the days to come.”",1,2026-06-19T06:50:32Z,2026-06-19T06:53:40Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-celebrates-unlock-aukus-bills-passing-committee/,"Ricketts Celebrates UNLOCK AUKUS, Bills Passing Committee",2026-06-18,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) celebrated passage of the UNLOCK AUKUS Act and other bills in the Senate Committee on Foreign Relations. The UNLOCK AUKUS Act was previously introduced by Senators Ricketts and Tim Kaine (D-VA) to strengthen the trilateral security partnership between Australia, the U.K., and the U.S. (AUKUS). This legislation accelerates collaboration, innovation, and fielding of the advanced military capabilities needed to maintain the United States and our AUKUS partners’ collective technological edge. “The United States faces the most challenging threat environment since WWII,” said Ricketts. “In the Senate, I’m fighting to strengthen our national security and deterrence of Communist China. By strengthening our international partnerships and eliminating red tape, Nebraskans will be safer.” Ricketts-led bills passed by Foreign Relations Committee include: UNLOCK AUKUS Act (Unlocking Next-Generation Licensing and Opportunities for Collaborative Know-how for AUKUS Act) Introduced by Sens. Ricketts and Tim Kaine (D-VA) is the Democrat Co-Lead. The UNLOCK AUKUS Act would enhance collaboration between AUKUS partners on advanced systems such as guided missiles, collaborative combat aircraft, hypersonics, and other AUKUS projects. Energy Security Pacts Act Introduced by Sens. Ricketts and Chris Coons (D-DE) The Energy Security Pacts Act would allow for the designation of a Director of Energy Security Pacts within the State Department to coordinate 10-year, bilateral Energy Security Pacts with partner countries to strengthen critical mineral supply chains. U.S. Tech PATH Act (U.S. Technology Procurement and Access to Trusted Hardware Act) Introduced by Sens. Ricketts and Jeanne Shaheen (D-NH) The U.S. Tech PATH Act would create a U.S. Technology Procurement Program in the State Department to streamline partner countries’ procurement of American cyber and digital technology. Expanded Consular Fellow Act Introduced by Sens. Ricketts and Jacky Rosen (D-NV) The Expanded Consular Fellow Act would authorize the State Department to hire Consular Fellows in limited non-career appointments for eight years – an increase from the current maximum of five years.",1,2026-07-01T06:34:07Z,2026-07-01T06:35:35Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-ricketts-discusses-making-housing-more-affordable-south-fork-fire/,"VIDEO: Ricketts Discusses Making Housing More Affordable, South Fork Fire",2026-06-18,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Yesterday, during his weekly press call with Nebraska media, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) discussed the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act. This historic housing bill includes Senator Ricketts’ Streamlining Rural Housing Act and other priorities to make housing more affordable. “As you all know, Nebraska is the best place in the world to live,” said Ricketts. Earlier this year, U.S. News & World Report ranked Omaha as the second-best city for recent college grads to live. This is great news. It also emphasizes the work we need to continue to do to increase housing stock. More homes mean housing is more affordable.” “Senate Republicans are fighting to make homeownership more attainable for all Nebraskans,” said Ricketts. “Cutting through bureaucratic red tape and increasing efficiency will increase housing stock and make housing more affordable. That’s why I am fighting to get the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act signed into law.” Senator Ricketts also thanked the firefighters combatting the South Fork Fire. “After a year of historic wildfires, the South Fork Fire has burned over 39,000 acres, with about 75% containment,” said Ricketts. “This week, Nebraska was able to secure a FEMA grant that should help with local efforts. I’ll keep supporting our firefighters and local authorities. My prayers are with them.” Watch the video here. TRANSCRIPT: “First off, thank you to the brave firefighters who continue keep Nebraskans safe. “After a year of already historic wildfires, the South Fork fire has burned over 39,000 acres with about 75% containment. “This week, Nebraska was able to secure a FEMA grant that should help with local efforts. “I’ll keep supporting our firefighters and local authorities. “My prayers are with them. “Together, Nebraskans will rebuild. “Second, on Iran: I appreciate the Trump administration’s continued efforts to negotiate a diplomatic solution with Iran. “It is important that the Straits of Hormuz remain open. “Subsequently, we should see the price of goods that go through the Strait drop. “This includes gas and fertilizer. “From the beginning, President Trump has said Operation Epic Fury had a short, limited timeline. “President Trump’s goal was to make sure Iran’s terrorist regime could never have a nuclear weapon. “We need to make sure that never happens. “Finally, as you all know, Nebraska is the best place in the world to live. “Earlier this year, U.S. News and World Report ranked Omaha as the second-best city for recent college grads to live. “This is great news. “It also emphasizes the work we need to continue to do to increase housing stock. “More homes mean housing is more affordable. “The average age of a first-time home buyer is now about 40 years old across the country. “Just a decade ago, the average first-time homebuyer was 31. “Red tape and regulations are driving up the cost of housing. “This makes it more difficult for first-time home buyers. “By one estimate, regulations account for nearly 25% of the cost of a single-family home. “For a typical apartment development, it’s even worse. “Regulations account for 40% of the cost. “One Nebraska apartment builder told me he used to be able to build apartments for about $15,000 per unit, and now it costs him over $200,000 per unit. “Now this is not a new issue. “When I was governor, I took steps to address this. “We passed the Rural Workforce Housing Bill. “We created a $7 million rural workforce housing fund, and later added $10 million more to it. “Nebraska communities applied for grants, typically to make low-interest loans. “These funds helped homebuilders come to a rural community to build houses and apartment buildings. “They helped cover construction costs, down payment assistance, and technical assistance. “This program was simple and successful. “As Senator, I’m advocating for this proven Nebraska solution for the rest of the country. “I’m working with my Republican colleagues to make it easier to build homes. “This week, my Senate Republican colleagues and I are voting on the 21st Century Road to Housing Act. “My Senate Banking Committee colleagues and I already passed this out of committee. “That vote was bipartisan and unanimous. “When we pass it on the Senate floor, I look forward to applauding Chairman Scott for his leadership on this bill. “The House has passed its own version of it as well. “We’re taking the best parts of the Senate bill and the best parts of the House bill to make sure we give the American people the best product to make housing more affordable. “The Senate and House should vote on this bill again, and then send it to the President’s desk to be signed into law. “The 21st Century Road to Housing Act puts us on a path to make homeownership more affordable. “The housing bill includes many of my bipartisan bills, including the Streamlining Rural Housing Act, which will enhance efficiency and lower costs. “Housing projects often draw both Department of Housing and Urban Development money, or HUD, and U.S. Department of Agriculture, or USDA, for a portion of their funding. “They have overlapping review and permitting processes. “My bill would consolidate these that way housing developers only have to do them once. “This will help us build more homes faster by getting the money out the door faster. “I have led efforts on three additional bills included in the 21st Century ROAD to Housing Act that will help government leverage programs and processes that we already have. “This includes the Rural Housing Regulatory Relief Act to streamline NEPA reviews. “It also includes my Improving Housing Access Act and my Housing for America’s Middle-Class Act. “I also have two bills to support veterans: “The VA Home Loan Awareness Act and the Veterans Affairs Loan Informed Disclosure, or VALID Act, to better inform veterans of the VA Home Loan Program and make veterans’ housing more accessible by helping educate veterans about these programs. “I also have co-sponsored the bipartisan Rural Housing Service Reform Act to improve existing loans, grants, and rental assistance to rural communities. “We want to support hard-working Americans. “Improving housing access across Nebraska is just one piece of how we are making the Good Life more affordable. “Senate Republicans are fighting to make homeownership more attainable for all Nebraskans. “Cutting through bureaucratic red tape and increasing efficiency will increase housing stock and make housing more affordable. “That’s why I’m fighting to get the 21st Century Road to Housing Act signed into law.”",1,2026-07-01T06:34:07Z,2026-07-01T06:35:35Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=355E04EA-ACB2-43CD-AD66-3712245B81F8,"Fischer Joins FOX News Sunday to Discuss Iran, National Security",2026-06-14,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, joined FOX News Sunday live with Shannon Bream to discuss the potential peace deal between the United States and Iran. Fischer’s exchanges below: BREAM: I want to go back to start with the Iran deal, because there are those out there who are skeptical across the political spectrum. John Heubusch writes about this. He was longtime director in the past of the Ronald Reagan Foundation and [has a] deep resume here on the hill. He says this, “Let's state the obvious: there is a difference between forcing Iran to sign a piece of paper and forcing Iran to change its nature. The first is diplomacy. The second is pure fantasy. The danger is not that Iran refuses to sign, the danger is that it signs and then does what it always does.” So, can we do a deal with Iran? FISCHER: We're going to find out. I'm not going to listen to the rumors. I want to see what kind of deal the president has made here. When he gets it signed, we'll know all the facts to it. But let's remember we have gone through 47 years of Iran being the state sponsor of terrorism, killing Americans. This is not a country that we wanted to see continue down that path. They're enriching uranium, they were on their way to getting a nuclear weapon. They had short, medium, and long-range ballistic missiles that could reach cities like London, Rome, and then it's a hop, skip, and a jump until it reaches the United States. I support the president in going in and trying to take them out and being successful. We don't want to see Iran continue to have control over the Strait of Hormuz, but we also want to make sure that they are not capable of getting a nuclear weapon, and that we can account for the enriched uranium that's there. Let's remember the president is negotiating now from a position of strength. Iran is weak. We have gone in, we've showed the strength of America, and now the president is able to negotiate from a position of strength this time. BREAM: How do you answer your colleagues, like Senator Reed, who say this came at an enormous cost, that we didn't need to do this. We had the JCPOA, there was a way to stop their program diplomatically, and now we've had enormous costs financially, but more importantly, American lives as well. FISCHER: TheAmerican lives lost is a tragedy, but we have to be able to negotiate from a position of strength. We didn't do that with the JCPOA. I was not a supporter of the JCPOA. Iran played us on that, and we ended up sending pallets of cash to them. I doubt that that's going to happen under President Trump. BREAM: I want to get to some breaking news this morning as well, because Israel is carrying out some strikes in Lebanon, and there's been a lot of reaction to that. Our Trey Yingst is hearing from some folks who are on the other side of this conversation, saying that they feel like Israel is trying to scuttle the deal that President Trump is trying to get across the finish line today. There's some daylight between our interests, their interests in the region, although there's a lot of praise from Israeli leaders, including the prime minister on the president's birthday today. But what do you make of these allegations that Israel may be trying to quote unquote blow up the deal the president is trying to get done because they have different interests? FISCHER: Israel is defending its country, and it is defending its people. We understand completely the terrorists that are on Israel's border. When you have Hezbollah causing disruptions, bombings in northern Israel, they have a right—they have a right to go in and defend themselves. I doubt that they are trying to scuttle any kind of deal, because they know the importance of being able to have a secure area in the Strait. They know the importance of taking out the nuclear program of Iran, and so they want to see a negotiation that's going to be successful on those points. BREAM: I want to talk about the National Defense Authorization Act, because the committee has just worked through this. It's now headed to the full Senate for consideration. One of the components of this, the part of the framework for this, reportedly includes a provision that would authorize the Pentagon to establish a war reserve stockpile program for Taiwan. There have been concerns about our munitions, what we're able to supply to others, what Taiwan is able to get. What exactly would this provision do? Can Congress force the fulfillment of orders to Taiwan as it's waiting with these allegations that the president may be slow walking some of this to appease China? FISCHER: You know, munitions is something that I focused on for a number of years now. I think I was one of the first in Congress to bring it up after Russia invaded Ukraine, because I want to make sure that the United States has what we need to protect our homeland. We also want to make sure that our allies, our partners, have what they have. The provision that we saw in the NDAA, I think that is more of reassurance to Taiwan and a challenge to the defense contractors that this is something that needs to happen and needs to go forward.",1,2026-06-15T06:52:46Z,2026-06-15T06:54:33Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=3824D647-191E-47DA-B9FA-E0F9E6ACB94C,"Fischer, NE Delegation Request Swift Wildfire Assistance from USDA",2026-06-11,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON –Today, U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Pete Ricketts (R-NE), and U.S. Representatives Mike Flood (NE-01), Don Bacon (NE-02), and Adrian Smith (NE-03) sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Brooke Rollins on the immediate need for a wildfire disaster designation for Garden, Grant, Lincoln, and Morrill counties in Nebraska, following the fires this spring. Read the letter below: Dear Secretary Rollins: We write in support of the Nebraska Farm Service Agency’s (FSA) request for a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) wildfire disaster designation for Garden, Grant, Lincoln, and Morrill counties, following the devastating wildfires this spring. The Morrill, Cottonwood, Ashby, and Minor Fires collectively burned over 800,000 acres across Nebraska, with the Morrill Fire burning over 640,000 acres alone. Extreme drought, high temperatures, and high winds created the perfect environment for mass destruction across central and western Nebraska. As it is two months following the fires, many producers are in need of additional help to recover and rebuild. We encourage you to designate the counties impacted by the spring fires in Nebraska as disaster areas to allow for emergency loans and provide additional assistance where needed. Additionally, our offices request clarification on eligibility under the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP). We have heard that several Nebraskans have requested to apply for ECP following the spring wildfires but have been told they are ineligible due to being enrolled in the grassland Conservation Reserve Program (CRP). These producers are trying to receive additional assistance in rebuilding fences and other assets on land that burned from these unprecedented fires. ECP enrollment is set to close on June 26th, so a timely response would be appreciated or assurance that an extension would be allowed. We respectfully request your expedited review and prompt action to ensure Nebraska’s producers receive the immediate support needed to rebuild after the historic wildfires. Along with our fellow Nebraskans, we appreciate your attention to this request and stand ready to assist in any way possible. View a copy of the transmitted letter here. ###",1,2026-06-12T06:37:16Z,2026-06-12T06:39:00Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=61A0BF87-B708-498D-AA52-4F9B912DCE0A,Fischer Secures Key Provisions in NDAA to Bolster National Defense,2026-06-11,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Provisions include language for Nuclear Deterrence, Spectrum, Golden Dome, Deterring China WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC) and chair of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, secured key provisions in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). “As we face increasing threats around the globe, our men and women who make up our armed forces need our full support to carry out their missions safely and effectively,” Fischer said. “As a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee, I’m proud to advance critical provisions aimed at modernizing our nuclear deterrent, strengthening national defense, and supporting our men and women in uniform. We need to get this bill over the finish line, and I urge its swift passage through the Senate.” Key Budget Authorizations Secured by Fischer in the FY 2027 NDAA: $250 million for development of SLCM-N missile $150 million for development of SLCM-N warhead $100 million to support emplacement of a second AN/TPY-6 radar on Guam to provide 360-degree coverage $40 million for Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) Key Provisions Secured by Fischer in the FY 2027 NDAA: Bolstering Our Nuclear Deterrent: Authorizing development of two additional theater-range nuclear capabilities Requiring a revised strategy for deterring multiple nuclear-armed adversaries Modifying the strategy to sustain Minuteman III ICBMs until Sentinel emplacement Fencing funding for the Secretary of the Air Force until the acquisition strategy for the Airborne Command Post capability has been delivered Authorizing the establishment of public-private partnerships for nuclear effects testing Directing a report on the force structure and production strategy for the B-21 aircraft Requiring briefings on autonomous or remotely piloted aircraft incursions in or around nuclear weapons related areas Protecting Defense Spectrum: Requiring notifications regarding any relocation of Department systems out of certain spectrum frequencies Homeland Defense: Modifying the annual reporting requirement for the Golden Dome missile defense system Deterring China: Prohibiting the use of funds to support entertainment projects with ties to China Requiring the Under Secretary of Defense for Acquisition and Sustainment and the Director of the Missile Defense Agency to ensure 360° sensor coverage of the island of Guam by utilizing two AN/TYPY-6 radar emplacements Other notable provisions: Authorizing funding for facilities, maintenance, restoration, and modernization (FSRM) accounts to be made available for three years Directing a strategy to maintain and upgrade conventional munitions storage facilities to ensure the safe, effective, and long-term storage of current and future conventional munitions inventories Directing the National Guard Bureau chief to assess using commercial wildfire satellite monitoring constellations Integrating space weather into space domain awareness and operations ###",1,2026-06-12T06:37:16Z,2026-06-12T06:39:00Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=FF01ABFB-2DDD-4169-AAA4-C80FDDFAA0E8,"Fischer Secures Major Wins for Nebraska, Offutt Air Force Base in NDAA",2026-06-11,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"$160 million authorized to benefit Offutt Air Force Base, Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA), Lincoln Air National Guard Base WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and chair of the Strategic Forces Subcommittee, announced key provisions secured for Nebraska and Offutt Air Force Base in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2027 National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). “Nebraska plays a central role in our national security,” Fischer said. “This NDAA strongly supports the missions of Strategic Command, the 55th Wing, the 557th Weather Wing, the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, and the Nebraska National Guard during this process. We’re investing in our military capabilities like never before, and I’m proud to bring a piece of that home to our state.” Fischer secured authorization for critical investments for Offutt Air Force Base and Lincoln Air National Guard Base: $69 million for the Defense POW/MIA Laboratory at Offutt Air Force Base $40 million for DPAA $15 million for the Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) supply storage facility at Offutt Air Force Base $11.2 million to support the design of STRATCOM’s Base and Operation Mobility Center on Offutt Air Force Base $10 million for STRATCOM’s Nuclear Command, Control, Communications (NC3) Rapid Engineering Architecture Collaboration Hub (REACH) $10 million for STRATCOM’s NC3 network sensor demonstration $4 million for the planning and design of a parking apron at Lincoln Air National Guard Base $1.5 million for the design to replace the vehicle search area at Offutt Air Force Base Fischer secured several provisions aimed at supporting missions at Offutt Air Force Base and improving military health readiness: Required space weather to be integrated into space domain awareness doctrine and operations Required quarterly reports on sustainment funding and spare parts for the RC-135 fleet Established a program for the safe, long-range aerial transport of servicemembers infected by a high-consequence infectious disease Directed an assessment of expanding the Military-Civilian Medical Surge Program Limited funds pending submission of the strategy to sustain the Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile and maximize end of life margin Modified the strategy to sustain Minuteman III intercontinental ballistic missile and maximize end-of-life margin ###",1,2026-06-12T06:37:16Z,2026-06-12T06:39:00Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-kaine-introduce-bill-to-bolster-aukus-cooperation/,"Ricketts, Kaine Introduce Bill to Bolster AUKUS Cooperation",2026-06-11,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE) and Tim Kaine (D-VA), senior members of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee, introduced the Unlocking Next-Generation Licensing and Opportunities for Collaborative Know-how for AUKUS (UNLOCK AUKUS) Act. The UNLOCK AUKUS Act would enable technologies that are currently controlled under the Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) to be eligible for transfer under the AUKUS license-free environment. This would enhance collaboration between AUKUS partners on advanced systems such as guided weapons, collaborative combat aircraft, hypersonics, and other AUKUS Pillar II projects. “The United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom face the most challenging threat environment since WWII. As we approach the 5th anniversary of AUKUS, we need to cut through any remaining red tape to streamline defense collaboration,” said Senator Ricketts. “The UNLOCK AUKUS Act would accelerate collaboration, innovation, and fielding of the advanced military capabilities needed by AUKUS partners to maintain our collective, technological edge.” “The AUKUS partnership is critical to ensuring a free and open Indo-Pacific and deterring an increasingly emboldened China,” said Senator Kaine. “I’m proud to partner with Senator Ricketts in introducing this bipartisan legislation to bolster the partnership by streamlining the transfer of key technologies to improve our joint capabilities.” The UNLOCK AUKUS Act would: Enable eligible MTCR- related items that are not registered on the Excluded Technology List (ETL) or Government-to-Government List to benefit from the AUKUS license-free environment. Establish a secure, predictable pathway for the transfer of goods and technology controlled by the MTCR for AUKUS partners within the trusted community of AUKUS Authorized Users. Maintain full compliance with non-proliferation commitments under the MTCR. BACKGROUND. The license-free environment established under AUKUS has enabled more than a thousand companies to engage in deeper industrial cooperation, and supported faster, lower-cost collaboration. It has facilitated the export and transfer of most military and dual‑use goods, technologies, and services across industry, academia, and research sectors without requiring permits or licences. The Missile Technology Control Regime (MTCR) was signed in 1987 and is a non-binding political arrangement designed to curtail exports and proliferation of ballistic missiles and Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD) delivery vehicles. It is composed of 35 nations, including Russia. MTCR-controlled items account for the majority of the remaining technologies that still require an export license between AUKUS partners. Their inclusion on the International Traffic in Arms (ITAR) Excluded Technology List (ETL), as legislated under the Arms Export Control Act, makes them ineligible for transfer under the AUKUS license-free environment. Removing the statutory requirement for MTCR items to be included on the ETL would deliver on congressional intent, and increase defense-eligible goods and technology transfer from 70% to closer to 95%. This would enhance collaboration on: Guided weapons and explosive ordnance, such as the Precision Strike Missile (PrSM); Autonomous and uncrewed systems; Hypersonic technologies; Other capabilities supporting AUKUS Pillar I and Pillar II objectives.",1,2026-06-12T06:37:16Z,2026-06-12T06:39:00Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=14CA0EF2-EF94-4D09-9A72-E382D9F42DF9,"ICYMI: Fischer Joins “Mornings with Maria” to Talk Reconciliation, FISA",2026-06-10,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) joined “Mornings with Maria” live on FOX Business with host Cheryl Casone to discuss the budget reconciliation bill to fund Customs and Border Patrol (CBP) and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). This legislation was signed into law by the president today. Fischer also discussed the possibility of a third Republican reconciliation bill and renewing the Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA), which is set to expire this Friday. Fischer is a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and chairs the Strategic Forces Subcommittee. She also sits on the Senate Appropriations Committee tasked with funding all functions of the federal government. ###",1,2026-06-11T06:38:38Z,2026-06-11T06:41:07Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-introduces-fence-act-to-support-nebraska-farmers-and-ranchers/,Ricketts Introduces FENCE Act to Support Nebraska Farmers and Ranchers,2026-06-09,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"Today, U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Martin Heinrich (D-NM), Deb Fischer (R-NE), and Michael Bennet (D-CO) introduced the Fencing Eligibility for New Conservation Equipment (FENCE) Act. The legislation would authorize the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to include virtual fencing as another option for farmers and ranchers under the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP). Including virtual fencing in this program would provide American farmers and ranchers with greater flexibility to rebuild and recover. “Nebraska’s ranchers are the best in the world. They’ve shown it this year in response to this spring’s devastating fires across our state,” said Senator Ricketts. “Ranchers recently shared with me that one-size-fits-all policies are hindering their ability to rebuild. The FENCE Act encouragesUSDA to continue finding new ways to support Nebraska’s recovery efforts.” “As a kid, I helped repair fences on our small calf-cow operation, and I know exactly how time consuming it is. As a sportsman, I’ve also seen how built infrastructure can dramatically alter wildlife migration corridors,” said Senator Heinrich. “My FENCE Act ensures producers in New Mexico and across the country can access federal funding for virtual fencing technology, helping them manage livestock more efficiently while also restoring the landscapes wildlife rely on.” “When the Senate passed my Emergency Conservation Program Improvement Act in March, I said that flexibility is my top priority in improving disaster assistance. The FENCE Act is no different. This legislation opens the door for producers to use new technology, like virtual fencing, to replace their damaged or lost fence lines after disasters strike. This would be a great opportunity for farmers and ranchers to seize if it makes sense for their operation,” said Senator Fischer. “Colorado ranchers have endured years of challenges, particularly as wildfires grow more frequent across the West,” said Senator Bennet. “We need to give farmers and ranchers the tools to navigate changing conditions, adopt new technologies, and build resilient operations. This bill provides the flexibility ranchers need to recover in ways that work best for them.” The FENCE Act would: Authorize USDA to include virtual fencing as an option for farmers and ranchers to utilize under the Emergency Conservation Program (ECP). Currently, the ECP covers up to 75% of the cost of the restoration or replacement of permanent agricultural fences. Allowing for “new or emerging technologies” under the program will provide another resource for farmers and ranchers to opt into. The use of electronic fencing technology may not result in an increase in cost of the repair or replacement of current permanent fencing structures. BACKGROUND Virtual fencing technology allows for controlled cattle placement through GPS-enabled collars that deliver audio cues and electrical pulses. After the devastating wildfires in Nebraska, farmers and ranchers highlighted the need for greater flexibility in recovering and rebuilding resources. TheFENCE Act would unlock virtual fencing as another tool for farmers and ranchers under the ECP. Virtual fencing is useful for grazing and land management. It could also extend to operations in the Valentine National Wildlife Refuge. Senator Ricketts worked with this Administration to allow Nebraska farmers and ranchers to have access to those grasslands.",1,2026-06-10T06:36:00Z,2026-06-10T06:37:32Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=365C4B24-BEC9-41DD-AC1E-7D6518CCE2A2,Fischer Celebrates Senate Passage of Bill Awarding Congressional Gold Medal to North Platte Canteen,2026-06-08,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON – Today, the U.S. Senate unanimously passed U.S. Senator Deb Fischer’s (R-NE) legislation to award a Congressional Gold Medal to the individuals who volunteered or contributed to the North Platte Canteen during World War II. “This is the highest honor Congress can bestow upon civilians of this country, and everyone from the North Platte Canteen deserves it,” Fischer said. “The Canteen was a beacon of hope for soldiers during such a troubling and uncertain time. Over 55,000 people sustained this effort for over four years, and every soldier that passed through saw the very best of what Nebraska has to offer. I thank my colleagues for understanding the significance of the North Platte Canteen, and for working with me to give them the recognition they deserve."" James Griffin, Director of the Lincoln County Historical Museum, said, “We are so excited to learn that the United States Senate has passed the North Platte Canteen Congressional Gold Medal Act today! This is well-deserved recognition for the 55,000 volunteers who served food to 6 million soldiers, sailors, and marines during World War II. The true effects of their selfless giving can't be quantified, but to the ordinary soldier who experienced the North Platte Canteen, they were nonetheless real. As real as bullets, tanks, and ships—and when the going got tough, it was the Canteen that buoyed their spirits. This bill would not have passed without the tireless efforts of Senator Deb Fischer. To her we want to say thank you—thank you on behalf of every volunteer of the North Platte Canteen and every member of the armed forces who visited the Canteen.” Brandon Kelliher, Mayor of North Platte, NE, said, “The Senate passage of the North Platte Canteen Congressional Medal Act is a proud and historic moment for our community, our region and our nation. This recognition honors the extraordinary generosity, patriotism, and unwavering spirit of the thousands of volunteers who showed America what service truly means. The legacy of the North Platte Canteen continues to inspire us, reminding future generations that compassion, sacrifice, and love of country can leave an impact far beyond our own time.” Fischer’s legislation, the North Platte Canteen Congressional Gold Medal Act, was cosponsored by 76 Senators, including Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE). Representative Adrian Smith (NE-03) introduced a companion bill in the U.S. House of Representatives, and it is cosponsored by Reps. Mike Flood (NE-01) and Don Bacon (NE-02). The House must now pass the bill before it is sent to the president to be signed into law. Background: The North Platte Canteen was a volunteer war effort at a railroad stop in North Platte, Nebraska, during World War II. Volunteers offered hospitality and friendship to soldiers traveling through the area on their way to the front lines. An estimated 55,000 people from 125 communities throughout Nebraska, Colorado, and Kansas contributed food, money, or time to serve the Canteen’s estimated 6 million visitors. The North Platte Canteen began on Christmas Day, 1941 and ended April 1, 1946. It was the largest community-based canteen in the U.S. and one of the largest volunteer efforts during World War II. Fischer recently spoke on the Senate floor to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of the North Platte Canteen. Watch her remarks here. ###",1,2026-06-09T06:27:37Z,2026-06-09T06:30:10Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=CF11B195-3A42-4C6F-99C2-ACC5DDC75748,Fischer Statement on Senate Passage of Secure America Act,2026-06-05,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) released the following statement after she voted for and the U.S. Senate passed the Secure America Act: ""Today, the Senate delivered historic, multi-year funding for our Border Patrol and ICE agents. At a critical moment for national security, this bill blocks Democrats' efforts to defund border security and locks in the record-low border crossings achieved under the Trump administration. I’m proud to advance this legislation, which will protect public safety and strengthen law enforcement.” Permalink: https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2026/6/fischer-statement-on-senate-passage-of-secure-america-act",1,2026-06-06T06:16:30Z,2026-06-06T06:17:47Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-highlights-efforts-to-pass-year-round-e15-combat-communist-china/,"Ricketts Highlights Efforts to Pass Year-round E15, Combat Communist China",2026-06-05,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"This week, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) joined Varney & Co. on Fox Business to discuss his efforts to counter Communist China and make sure the U.S. leads in the AI race. Ricketts highlighted his Secure and Feasible Exports (SAFE) of Chips Act and Multilateral Alignment of Technology Controls on Hardware (MATCH) Act, which would limit sales of advanced AI chips and semiconductor manufacturing equipment to Communist China. Ricketts also discussed his work to secure year-round E15. “We’ve got to win the AI race with Communist China,” said Ricketts. “If we do things that hamper that innovation, we’re going to lose, and that will end up in a world where Communist China dominates the AI race, and that’s going to have a bad impact on so many factors that impact everyday life. So, what we want to do is make sure that we win, and that means encouraging American innovation.” “Last time I filled up with E10, I saved 55 cents a gallon, said Ricketts. “With E15, you would save even more. It cleans up the environment, so it’s great for the environment, and it would help our farmers and ranchers by creating more demand. We’ve got a bill to make this permanent.”",1,2026-06-06T06:16:30Z,2026-06-06T06:17:47Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-issues-statement-after-bill-to-fund-border-patrol-and-ice-passes-senate/,Ricketts Issues Statement After Bill to Fund Border Patrol and ICE Passes Senate,2026-06-05,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) issued the following statement after the Senate passed legislation to fund U.S. Border Patrol and U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) : “This effort has always been about protecting Americans and strengthening our national security. The initial bill only included funding for Border Patrol and ICE. Several amendments that would not strengthen our national security were presented. I voted against those. I voted for final passage of the initial legislation, which will fund our Border Patrol and ICE. These law enforcement officers work hard to keep our nation safe and they deserve our support.",1,2026-06-06T06:16:30Z,2026-06-06T06:17:47Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-ricketts-on-combatting-communist-china-in-the-ai-race/,VIDEO: Ricketts on Combatting Communist China in the AI Race,2026-06-05,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"This week, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) discussed his work to counter Communist China and ensure American dominance in artificial intelligence in a Senate Foreign Relations Committee hearing. Ricketts highlighted his Multilateral Alignment of Technology Controls on Hardware (MATCH) Act, a bipartisan bill that would strengthen U.S. export controls to ensure adversaries cannot buy “chokepoint” semiconductor manufacturing equipment (SME) technology from the United States or our partners that they cannot build themselves. “A world where Communist China is dominant in AI is very bad for the United States and for the entire world,” said Ricketts. “That’s why it’s critical that us and our allies cannot lose this race. Semiconductor supply chains, particularly semiconductor manufacturing equipment — SMEs — are critical to winning this competition.” Watch the video here.",1,2026-06-06T06:16:30Z,2026-06-06T06:17:47Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-securing-americas-next-250-years/,VIDEO: Securing America’s Next 250 Years,2026-06-05,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"On Wednesday, during his weekly press call with Nebraska media, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) discussed his efforts to help secure the next 250 years of American safety and prosperity. This includes attending the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singaporewhere he had conversations about deterring Communist China. “Our values have inspired generations of Americans and secured our role as the global technology, economic, and military leader. We have a lot to celebrate. We also need to consider what it will take to secure the next 250 years,” said Ricketts. “One of the most important tasks will be deterring Communist China. China is without a doubt the greatest existential threat to America and Nebraska. Communist China seeks to infiltrate our country and undermine our people, values, and way of life. We cannot let this happen if we want our nation and the world to thrive for centuries to come.” Ricketts also highlighted the importance of funding Border Patrol and ICE to protect Nebraskans and our national security. This morning, the Senate passed the Secure America Act, legislation to fund Border Patrol and ICE. Ricketts’ statement on the vote can be found here. Watch the video here. TRANSCRIPT: Senator Ricketts: “Last week, I had the privilege to attend a ceremony to honor those who gave their last full measure of devotion to our great nation. “I’m grateful to American Legion Post One in Omaha for hosting the Memorial Day ceremony to honor our fallen at Forest Lawn Cemetery. “Memorial Day this year was special, as we also celebrate America’s 250th birthday. “Throughout our country’s history, Nebraskans have laid down their lives to defend our freedoms. “We honor all of our heroic Nebraskans who lost their lives in service to our country. “We also express our gratitude to their loved ones for their sacrifice. “We are the home of the free because of the brave. “As we celebrate America’s birthday, we reflect on what has led to 250 years of success. “From our founding, we’ve affirmed that our people have the right to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness. “We’ve created a country where any American, regardless of who they are, can achieve the American dream through hard work and determination. “Our values have inspired generations of Americans and secured our role as the global technology, economic, and military leader. “We have a lot to celebrate. “We also need to consider what it will take to secure the next 250 years. “One of the most important tasks will be deterring Communist China. “China is without a doubt the greatest existential threat to America and Nebraska. “Communist China seeks to infiltrate our country and undermine our people, values, and way of life. “We cannot let this happen if we want our nation and the world to thrive for centuries to come. “That’s why I’ve made it a priority to attend the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore the last couple of years. “This conference brings together leaders from North America, the Indo-Pacific, Europe, and beyond to discuss important security issues. “I attended again this year and had important conversations about deterring Communist China and bolstering our national security. “Let me share a few takeaways. “First, we need to strengthen our military cooperation with allies and partners in the region. “This includes shoring up our own defense industrial base, ensuring our warfighters, as well as those of our allies and partners, have the capabilities they need to counter and deter Communist China. “It’s absolutely critical. “We also need to recommit our support for allies and partners who have fallen victim to Communist China’s malign aggression and economic coercion. “Peace, stability, and prosperity in the Indo-Pacific are good for America. “We need to secure this. “I also had a few conversations about improving trade relations. “We know that China is not a good trade partner. “Identifying new opportunities in the Indo-Pacific will reduce our reliance on Communist China and expand market access for our farmers and ranchers. “I’ve also introduced the MARKET Act, which I’ve shared before, to identify new markets for our ag community. “I am grateful for the opportunity to advocate for Nebraskans, both in the Senate and on the world stage, and I remain committed to doing my part to ensure future generations can celebrate the America we all know and love. “This brings me to the work that needs to be done on the Senate floor today. “To protect Americans and our national security, we must fund Border Patrol and ICE. “Senate Republicans have a narrow bill to do this. “Our bill only funds Border Patrol and ICE. “Senate Democrats refuse to vote for it, putting every American at risk. “Their refusal is a clear threat to our national security. “The Democrats stood by while President Biden and his open-border policies allowed every state to become a border state, putting communities across America, including in Nebraska, at risk. “They released at least 99 illegal aliens on the terrorist watchlist into American communities, including three with potential ISIS ties. “They have prioritized the care of illegal immigrants over Americans. “Let me give you two examples. “When Laken Riley, a 22-year-old college student, was murdered by an illegal immigrant, Republicans introduced legislation to make sure no other families have to live through that same tragedy as Laken’s family had to live through. “The legislation was common sense, too — if an illegal immigrant breaks the law, they will be held accountable. “A majority of Democrats refused to support this common-sense solution. “When our brave troops successfully captured Venezuelan dictator Nicolás Maduro, Democrats were more concerned about the operation than national security. “Maduro is a narco-terrorist responsible for the deaths of countless Americans. “He was a puppet of our adversaries, including Communist China, Russia, and Iran. “Simply put, he was a threat to our national security. “Capturing him was a win for Americans and our national security. “However, Democrats didn’t see it this way. “The reality, though, is that President Trump campaigned on securing our border. “He won an overwhelming majority of votes from Americans. “The American people voted for stronger national security. “Republicans have worked with this administration to secure our border and deliver that for the American people. “To maintain this strong national security, we need to fund ICE and Border Patrol. “I’m ready to vote with my Senate Republican colleagues today. “Democrats cannot delay this vote any longer. “We must get this done for the American people. “Everything else is a distraction.”",1,2026-06-06T06:16:30Z,2026-06-06T06:17:47Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=C8EA95BB-E457-4913-8137-5AB4032FF59C,"Fischer, Senate Colleagues in Wall Street Journal: E15 Is a Net Positive",2026-06-03,2026,2026-06,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"In case you missed it: In theWall Street Journal, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) joined Sens. Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Pete Ricketts (R-NE), and Roger Marshall (R-KS) in setting the record straight on how year-round E15 will lower gas prices and boost our economy. Read the full piecehere or below. Regarding your editorial “An Ethanol Extortion Play” (May 11): When we talk with our constituents, we hear about high gas and diesel prices. We have a solution that will bring down fuel prices for Americans: E15 fuel, 15% ethanol, 85% gasoline. Legislation allowing year-round, nationwide sales of E15 has bipartisan support in the House and Senate. Opponents, the most vocal of which are a handful of oil refineries, are trying to stop it. Your editorial mirrors their misguided talking points. Expanding E15 availability lowers gas prices by 20 to 40 cents per gallon on average. That could mean around $400 per year in savings for a U.S. household—precious dollars that could be spent on other needs. E15 has been in the marketplace by presidential waiver for eight years. In that time, not one refinery has closed because of E15 availability. And, for all the talk of smog worries, data from Growth Energy shows E15 reduces smog-forming pollutants. Likewise, despite concerns voiced in some quarters, existing fuel infrastructure can be used for E15, just as it can for the E10 fuel Americans usually buy. The market has spoken: E15 is a net positive. We know E15 will lower prices at the pump, and we’re committed to providing affordable options for families. Securing year-round, nationwide E15 is at the forefront of our agenda.",1,2026-06-04T06:38:12Z,2026-06-04T06:39:44Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=BA4F054A-C794-4E5E-87B8-E68284D900C1,"Fischer, Bennet Introduce Resolution Supporting Mental Health in Ag",2026-05-26,2026,2026-05,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"U.S. Senators Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Michael Bennet (D-CO) introduced a bipartisan resolution designating May 29, 2026, as Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day. “Farmers, ranchers, and ag workers have some of the toughest jobs in the country,” Fischer said. “Right now, a struggling farm economy is making life even harder – and it weighs heavily on the minds of those who feed and fuel our nation. This resolution designates May 29th as Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day and sheds light on the resources available for those in need. I thank my colleagues for joining this bipartisan, bicameral effort as we keep working to ease the strain in farm country.” “Colorado farmers, ranchers, and farmworkers face unprecedented challenges from severe drought to increased costs that can take a toll on their mental health,” Bennet said.“I’ve consistently worked to expand access to affordable, reliable mental health care for all Coloradans and am grateful to stand with Senator Fischer and my Senate colleagues to designate May 29th as Mental Health Awareness in Agriculture Day. Providing visibility and awareness to address these challenges is essential for progress.” The resolution is cosponsored by Senate Agriculture Committee Chairman John Boozman (R-AR) and Ranking Member Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), U.S. Senators Pete Ricketts (R-NE), Angela Alsobrooks (D-MD), Steve Daines (R-MT), Chris Coons (D-DE), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Jacky Rosen (D-NV), Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-MS), John Hickenlooper (D-CO), John Hoeven (R-ND), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Jerry Moran (R-KS), Tina Smith (D-MN), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Dick Durbin (D-IL), Thom Tillis (R-NC), Catherine Cortez Masto (D-NV), Dave McCormick (R-PA), and Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-DE). U.S. Representatives Mike Bost (IL-12) and Kim Schrier (WA-08) introduced a companion resolution in the House of Representatives. “Our farmers are proud, salt of the Earth people, but they face tremendous pressures in a tough industry,” Bost said. “The stress that comes with the profession is real, with a suicide rate 3.5 times higher than the general population. Volatile markets, rising input costs, and unpredictable weather don't just threaten a family farm’s bottom line, they take a toll on mental health, too. This legislation is a step towards making sure they know that if they’re struggling, they don’t have to struggle alone.” “Farmers in Washington state and across the country face a variety of challenges, from extreme weather and skyrocketing costs to changing markets at home and abroad,”Schrier said.“Our agricultural industry is under stress, which has taken a toll on farmers’ mental health. I am proud to introduce this resolution to raise awareness of this rural mental health crisis and commit to supporting our producers in every way we can as they feed our country, uplift our economies, and bolster rural America.” This legislation is supported by the National Cattlemen’s Beef Association, the National Farmers Union, the Nebraska Wheat Board, the National Council of Farmer Cooperatives, the Nebraska Pork Producers Association, the National Rural Health Association, the American Soybean Association, the Nebraska Agri-Business Association, the Nebraska Rural Health Association, the Nebraska Soybean Association, the National Pork Producers, the American Farm Bureau Federation, the National Corn Growers Association, the Nebraska Cattlemen, the Nebraska Farm Bureau Federation, the Agricultural Retailers Association, the Nebraska Cooperative Council, the Nebraska Farmers Union, the Nebraska Corn Growers Association, and the Farm Credit Services of America. Click here to read their statements of support. Click here for national resources available for those in need. Click here for Nebraska resources available for those in need. Click here to view text of the resolution.",1,2026-05-27T06:38:34Z,2026-05-27T06:40:17Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-ricketts-working-for-nebraska-farmers-and-ranchers/,VIDEO: Ricketts Working for Nebraska Farmers and Ranchers,2026-05-22,2026,2026-05,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – This week, during his weekly press call with Nebraska media, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) discussed his work fighting for Nebraska farmers and ranchers. Ricketts highlighted his resolution designating May as Renewable Fuels Month and his support for year-round E15. “Nebraska is a national leader in biofuels production, making 2.2 billion gallons each year. This homegrown energy saves consumers money at the pump. It helps farmers get better prices for their corn and soybeans, and it’s good for our environment,” said Ricketts. “Our biofuels are a win for Nebraska and America.” Ricketts also discussed the MARKET Act, legislation that would require the Department of Agriculture and the U.S. Trade Representative to look at new markets for Nebraska ag products. The bill would also require the Secretary of Agriculture to provide recommendations to mitigate threats and trade barriers from foreign adversaries like Communist China. “The Market Act is important because Communist China has demonstrated time and time again that it is not a reliable trade partner,” said Ricketts. “We need to explore new markets to prevent Nebraska farmers and ranchers from being beholden to Communist China. I look forward to working with my colleagues to support this effort. I’m proud to do my part to support Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers, and I will continue to be their voice here in the US Senate.” Watch the video here. TRANSCRIPT: Senator Ricketts: “Before I begin, thank you to all the brave first responders who quickly helped during the storms that hit Nebraska this week. “Susanne and I are praying for all those who were impacted by those storms. “When I was governor, we dealt with storms and floods and other disasters. “Nebraska has always rebuilt together then, and I am confident the same will be true this time around as well. “With that, let’s go ahead and continue the call. “Today I introduced a resolution designating May as Renewable Fuels Month. “Nebraska is a national leader in biofuels production, making 2.2 billion gallons each year. “This homegrown energy saves consumers money at the pump. “It helps farmers get better prices for their corn and soybeans, and it’s good for our environment. “Biofuels also contribute to American energy independence. “The Renewable Fuels Association estimates that US-produced ethanol displaced the need for 640 million barrels of imported oil in 2025. “This reduces our reliance on foreign countries and bolsters our national security. “Our biofuels are a win for Nebraska and America. “Last week we saw Congressman Adrian Smith’s bill allowing for year-round sales of E15 pass the House. “E15 is a win-win-win for consumers, the environment, and farmers and ranchers. “It gives Nebraskans more choice at the pump and saves them money. “Last weekend, when I filled up at Hy-Vee, I saved 55 cents per gallon with E10 compared to regular 87 octane gasoline. “E15 saves even more money at the pump. “At our Nebraska breakfast this morning, Congressman Bacon relayed that he saved $1 a gallon by filling up with E15. “That’s real relief. “It’s time to make this law. “Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers also rely on stability and good trading partners to succeed. “While we are the nation’s fifth largest ag exporter, the vast majority of our exports are to countries in the Indo-Pacific. “I visited a number of them as governor, leading trade missions with farmers and ranchers. “In Nebraska, we already know China is an unreliable trade partner, and that’s why, when I was governor, we moved our trade office from China to Germany. “With the conclusion of Trump’s summit in Beijing, Asian market access looks like it might expand. “US Trade Representative Jamieson Greer said that he expects China to buy double-digit billions of US ag products over the next three years. “That includes at least $17 billion per year of US agricultural products in 2026, 2027, and 2028, in addition to China’s commitment last October to buy at least 25 million metric tons of soybeans for those same years — 2026, 2027, and 2028. “If fulfilled, this would mean another $9.8 billion in soybeans purchased. “It could also include relisting some of our beef exporters that China arbitrarily removed, or recommitting to consistent purchases of hides and skins. “I hope it’s all true. “The President and the administration should be commended for getting these initial commitments, but we must also remember that China reneged on President Trump’s phase one trade deal once President Biden was in office. “It will require strong leadership from this administration and future administrations to hold Communist China to its commitments for our ag communities, but we also shouldn’t provide China with outsized leverage. “We need to continue to export Nebraska and American products around the globe “To de-risk Nebraskans from Communist China’s markets and unfair trade practices and open the door for more trading partners, I’ve introduced the Market Act this week. “This legislation would require the US Department of Agriculture and the US Trade Representative to look at other markets, so we can diversify our exports. “It would also require the Secretary of Agriculture to provide recommendations to mitigate the threats and trade barriers from Communist China. “The Market Act is important because Communist China has demonstrated time and time again that it is not a reliable trade partner. “We need to explore new markets to prevent Nebraska farmers and ranchers from being beholden to Communist China. “I look forward to working with my colleagues to support this effort. “I’m proud to do my part to support Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers, and I will continue to be their voice here in the U.S. Senate. “They are the backbone of our communities. “Nebraska and the nation depend upon them.“We need them now, and we’re going to need them for generations to come.”",1,2026-06-27T20:01:11Z,2026-06-27T22:21:02Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-introduces-resolution-designating-may-as-renewable-fuels-month/,Ricketts Introduces Resolution Designating May as Renewable Fuels Month,2026-05-21,2026,2026-05,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) led a bipartisan resolution to designate May 2026 as Renewable Fuels Month. The resolution highlights the critical role renewable fuels, like ethanol and biodiesel, play in lowering fuel prices for consumers, unleashing American energy independence, protecting the environment, and supporting rural communities. Original cosponsors include Senators Amy Klobuchar (D-MN), Mike Rounds (R-SD), Tammy Duckworth (D-IL), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Roger Marshall (R-KS), Chuck Grassley (R-IA), Joni Ernst (R-IA), Tina Smith (D-MN), and Jerry Moran (R-KS). “Renewable fuels are a win for Nebraska and a win for America,” said Senator Ricketts. “They save consumers money at the pump, are good for the environment, and help farmers get better prices for their corn and soybeans. Renewable fuels also strengthen American energy independence. I am proud to lead this resolution on behalf of Nebraska farmers and ranchers.” U.S. Representative Zach Nunn (R-IA-03) introduced a companion resolution in the House of Representatives. “For more than a decade, Iowa farmers and biofuel producers were told to wait — wait for another waiver, another study, or another Congress to act,” said Representative Nunn. “This year, we stopped waiting and started delivering. The House passed year-round, nationwide E15, bringing Congress closer than ever to making permanent access to higher biofuel blends the law of the land. Iowa’s renewable fuels industry has earned that certainty, and this bicameral resolution recognizes the farmers, producers, and innovators who made Iowa the nation’s leader in homegrown energy.” The resolution is endorsed by Renewable Fuels Nebraska, Renewable Fuels Association, Clean Fuels Alliance, National Oilseed Processors Association (NOPA), Growth Energy, and Fuels America. Kurt Kovarik, VP of Federal Affairs for Clean Fuels Alliance America said, “Clean Fuels thanks Senator Ricketts and applauds his resolution designating May 2026 Renewable Fuels Month. There’s no better time – as Americans begin their summer plans, energy security is top of mind. Biodiesel and renewable diesel are needed now more than ever to meet 10% of the nation’s diesel fuel demand and keep the American economy moving.” “Renewable Fuels Month provides the perfect opportunity to celebrate the many benefits of American-made biofuels like ethanol,” said Renewable Fuels Association President and CEO Geoff Cooper. “Ethanol blends, especially lower-cost E15 and E85, can help American families save money while cutting emissions, strengthening the rural economy and bolstering energy independence. We thank Sen. Ricketts for his leadership and strong support for farmers and ethanol producers.” “Across the country, and especially in Nebraska, investments in soybean processing and biomass-based diesel are transforming rural economies, supporting hardworking farmers, and expanding America’s domestic energy capacity,” said Devin Mogler, President and CEO of NOPA. “During Renewable Fuels Month, we celebrate how these investments are boosting domestic manufacturing, strengthening rural America, and helping secure American energy dominance for generations to come.” Dawn Caldwell, Renewable Fuels Nebraska said, “Nebraska’s farmers and ranchers feed the world—and thanks to our world-class ethanol producers, we help fuel it, too. Renewable fuels like ethanol boost our family farms’ bottom line, support good jobs across the state, and attract investment into our rural communities. And just as importantly: They keep costs down for drivers at the gas pump while improving our air quality. Renewable Fuels Nebraska appreciates Senator Ricketts’ commitment to celebrating the enormous impact of this industry, and our members are grateful for his work alongside Senator Fischer and their colleagues aimed at opening more markets and creating more opportunities for our workers and producers to deliver high-quality, homegrown energy.” Emily Skor, CEO of Growth Energy said, “With global events driving up fuel prices, Renewable Fuels Month is a timely reminder that every gallon of homegrown biofuel helps put downward pressure on fuel costs while strengthening the rural economy. U.S. farmers and biofuel producers are among the leading innovators in the energy sector, continually increasing efficiency, finding solutions to market challenges, and positioning America for long-term success at home and abroad. We are proud to stand with Senator Ricketts and other leaders who are working hard to strengthen the renewable fuels industry and ensure these innovators can continue delivering value to American consumers.” BACKGROUND Nebraska is a national leader in biofuel production, consistently ranking as the second-largest ethanol producer in the United States. In 2024, Nebraska had 24 operating ethanol plants with a production capacity of over 2.2 billion gallons. Approximately 35% of Nebraska’s corn crop in 2024 was utilized in ethanol production. The Renewable Fuels Association estimates that U.S.-produced ethanol displaced the need for 640 million barrels of imported oil in 2025.",1,2026-05-22T06:27:39Z,2026-05-22T06:29:18Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/video-ricketts-secures-passage-of-renewable-fuels-month-resolution-on-senate-floor/,VIDEO: Ricketts Secures Passage of Renewable Fuels Month Resolution on Senate Floor,2026-05-21,2026,2026-05,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) called a voice vote on the Senate floor to pass his Renewable Fuels Month resolution. The resolution highlights the critical role renewable fuels, like ethanol and biodiesel, play in lowering fuel prices for consumers, unleashing American energy independence, supporting rural communities, and protecting the environment. “Renewable fuels are great for consumers to help save you money at the pump.” said Ricketts. “Last time I filled up with a 10% blend of ethanol, I saved 55 cents a gallon at my local grocery store. My congressman has told me that he fills up with E15 is able to save $1 a gallon. It’s also great for cleaning up the environment, reduces carbon emissions and particulate emissions, NOx emissions. And then, of course, it’s great for our farmers and ranchers.” “Renewable fuels are part of an American First Energy dominance strategy. They are great for our country,” said Ricketts. “To that end, I would want to make May Renewable Fuels Month, as I did in Nebraska. I made that proclamation when I was Governor. So, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to consideration of S.Res.747 which was submitted earlier today.” Watch the video here. TRANSCRIPT Senator Ricketts: “Mr. President, I rise today to talk about the benefits of renewable fuels. “My state of Nebraska is a leader in renewable fuels. “We’ve got 24 ethanol plants, for example, that create 2.2 billion gallons of ethanol, and that, according to Renewable Fuels Association, has allowed us to avoid importing about 640 million barrels of foreign oil. “Renewable fuels are great for consumers to help save you money at the pump. “Last time I filled up with a 10% blend of ethanol, I saved 55 cents a gallon at my local grocery store. “My congressman has told me that he fills up with E15 is able to save $1 a gallon. “It’s also great for cleaning up the environment, reduces carbon emissions and particulate emissions, NOx emissions. “And then, of course, it’s great for our farmers and ranchers. “Renewable fuels are part of an American First Energy dominance strategy. “They are great for our country. “To that end, I would want to make May Renewable Fuels Month, as I did in Nebraska. “I made that proclamation when I was Governor. “So, I ask unanimous consent that the Senate proceed to consideration of SRES 747 which was submitted earlier today.”",1,2026-05-22T06:27:39Z,2026-05-22T06:29:18Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-on-the-senate-floor-proud-of-nebraska-farmers-and-ranchers/,Ricketts on the Senate Floor: Proud of Nebraska Farmers and Ranchers,2026-05-20,2026,2026-05,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, on the Senate floor, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) expressed his support for Nebraska farmers and ranchers and highlighted Nebraska’s leadership in beef and renewable fuels. May is Beef Month and Renewable Fuels Month. Senator Ricketts also discussed the MARKET Act, legislation he introduced today to identify new export markets for American ag products and ensure our farmers and ranchers are not beholden to Communist China. “Last week the Senate passed my resolution to proclaim May as Beef Month throughout the entire country, and again, this is our leading industry in Nebraska, the beef industry,” said Ricketts. “We are the leading state for exporting beef, $1.7 billion worth. We’re a leader in the categories that describe beef. In fact, we’ve got over 6 million head of cattle. We’ve got the three highest beef-producing counties in the country, in Nebraska. We’re very proud of our beef industry, and of course it’s the best-tasting beef in the entire world…It’s also Renewable Fuels Month, and Nebraska is again a leader in renewable fuels — 2.2 billion gallons. Not only is this important for creating jobs in our small towns and rural communities, but this is one of the ways that consumers can save money at the pump.” “Communist China, at the end of the day, is a bad trading partner. We need to make sure we hold them accountable for the commitments they make, and I expect this administration will do just that,” said Ricketts. “They have a track record of doing that. In addition, we need to look at diversifying our export markets. That is why I am introducing the MARKET Act. The MARKET Act would instruct the US Department of Agriculture and the US Trade Representative to look at ways that we can mitigate our dependence on Communist China and look for new markets.” Watch the video HERE. TRANSCRIPT: Senator Ricketts: “Mr. President, I am proud to represent the great state of Nebraska. “Agriculture is our number one industry in Nebraska, and I’m also proud to represent our farmers and ranchers, who are the best in the world. “Agriculture is the heart and soul of what we do in our state of Nebraska. “We produce the finest products, the safest food. “We feed and fuel our great nation. “Now it’s no secret that our farmers and ranchers have had some challenges. “We have seen low commodity prices and high input costs. “We’ve also seen a drought in my state, as well as wildfires that are the worst in our state’s history, burning over a million acres. “But our farmers and ranchers, they’re tough and resilient. “They find ways to come together and get through the tough times, they contribute to their communities, and despite all this, they continue to invest to make sure that we have a strong agricultural sector in Nebraska — and this is also important for our country. “Food security is national security. “Last week the Senate passed my resolution to proclaim May as Beef Month throughout the entire country, and again, this is our leading industry in Nebraska, the beef industry. “We are the leading state for exporting beef, $1.7 billion worth. “We’re a leader in the categories that describe beef. “In fact, we’ve got over 6 million head of cattle. “We’ve got the three highest beef-producing counties in the country, in Nebraska. “We’re very proud of our beef industry, and of course it’s the best-tasting beef in the entire world, even if the president doesn’t agree with that right now, being from Montana. “So we’re very, very proud of that. “It’s also Renewable Fuels Month, and Nebraska is again a leader in renewable fuels — 2.2 billion gallons. “Not only is this important for creating jobs in our small towns and rural communities, but this is one of the ways that consumers can save money at the pump. “Last time I filled up on E10, a 10% blend of ethanol, I saved 55 cents a gallon at my local Hy-Vee. “It’s also a great way to help clean up the environment, and of course it’s great for our farmers and ranchers — also great for our country. “There are estimates that our renewable fuels industry, which is so great for our corn farmers and soybean farmers, also displaces about 640 million barrels of foreign oil. “That means we are less dependent on foreign sources of energy. “This is again a great way for consumers to save money, but also for us to strengthen our energy independence — American first energy independence. “Our homegrown solution is biofuels. “Now, at the summit last week, where President Trump was in Beijing, we heard good news with regard to potential additional purchases of American agricultural products. “US Trade Representative Jameson Greer said there’ll be double-digit billions of dollars of additional agricultural product purchases over 2026, 2027, and 2028 — maybe $17 billion in each of those years. “And that’s on top of the 25 million metric tons that Communist China agreed to buy last year in October. “That certainly is good news for our farmers. “What we need is to make sure that we hold Communist China accountable for those purchases. “We need to recall that in the first Trump administration, they signed the Phase One trade deal with Communist China, but as soon as President Trump was out of office, China reneged on that deal. “We’ve seen them capriciously turn away cargo ships of our corn; they’ve delisted our beef processors. “Communist China, at the end of the day, is a bad trading partner. “We need to make sure we hold them accountable for the commitments they make, and I expect this administration will do just that. “They have a track record of doing that. “In addition, we need to look at diversifying our export markets. “That is why I am introducing the MARKET Act. “The MARKET Act would instruct the US Department of Agriculture and the US Trade Representative to look at ways that we can mitigate our dependence on Communist China and look for new markets. “Last year, through the Working Families Tax Cut, we put an additional $285 million — double the amount of money — for trade promotion, to be able to find new markets for our farmers and ranchers. “My MARKET Act would require USDA and USTR to work together to look for new markets and to come back with a report to Congress on how we can further expand those and mitigate the risks of being dependent upon adversaries like Communist China. “Do we need to take legislative action or regulatory action? “This will help make sure that we continue to be able to expand the trade that is so important for agricultural states like Nebraska. “About a third of everything that we grow in Nebraska gets exported overseas. “We’re the fifth largest ag-exporting state. “These markets overseas are important to our strong economy in Nebraska. “My MARKET Act will help make sure we continue to look for opportunities to be able to grow that. “I’m proud of our farmers and ranchers. “They do a great job of feeding our great nation. “I’m proud to be able to continue to support them here in Washington, DC.”",1,2026-05-21T06:28:16Z,2026-05-21T06:29:43Z https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/news/press-releases/ricketts-introduces-market-act-to-protect-agriculture-exports-from-communist-china/,Ricketts Introduces MARKET Act to Protect Agriculture Exports from Communist China,2026-05-19,2026,2026-05,Republican,Senate,NE,Pete Ricketts,R000618,www.ricketts.senate.gov,ricketts,https://www.ricketts.senate.gov/newsroom/press-releases/?jsf=jet-engine:press-list&pagenum=,scraper,"WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, U.S. Senator Pete Ricketts (R-NE) introduced the Moving Away from Risk to Key Export Targets (MARKET) Act. This legislation would protect American agricultural exports from Communist China’s unfair trade practices and determine alternative markets for American agricultural exports. “Nebraska farmers and ranchers feed the country and fuel the world. But Communist China threatens this,” said Senator Ricketts. “Relying on one major buyer carries risks, which is why we must develop new markets for agricultural commodities. The MARKET ACT prevents Nebraska farmers and ranchers from being beholden to Communist China.” “U.S. agriculture is extremely vulnerable to trade disruptions, a fact which soybean farmers know all too well,” said Scott Metzger, President of the American Soybean Association and Ohio soybean farmer. “Soybeans are the largest exported commodity in the U.S., and the biggest global market for soybeans is China. Unfortunately, we have seen how strong markets like China take decades to build but can disappear overnight when trade tensions flare up. ASA thanks Senator Ricketts for his leadership in introducing the MARKET Act to ensure U.S. soybeans remain competitive in global export markets by enhancing the work of USDA and USTR on agriculture trade.” The MARKET Act would: Require the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) and the United States Trade Representative (USTR) to conduct an annual assessment determining market access for commodities displaced by a potential trade dispute with foreign adversaries like Communist China; Commodities in the assessment include soybeans, corn, beef, chicken, pork, tree nuts, sorghum, cotton, and dairy. Require the Secretary of Agriculture to provide recommendations that mitigate potential threats from China, including legislative and regulatory actions that reduce barriers to agricultural exports in markets outside of China. BACKGROUND Nebraska is the nation’s fifth largest agricultural exporter, with nearly $8 billion in agricultural exports last year. It is top in the nation for beef and veal exports, and leads across corn, feed grains, and soybeans. The vast majority of these exports are to the Indo-Pacific, giving Communist China outsized leverage in disrupting Nebraska trade. The MARKET Act would help agricultural exporters de-risk from Communist China’s markets and unfair trade practices. Senator Ricketts has worked toward developing alternative markets for American agricultural exports. The Working Families Tax Cuts Act strengthens alternative export markets through a trade promotion program that provides $285 million annually for expanding commercial export markets, doubling funds for the Market Access Program and the Foreign Market Development program. Senator Ricketts’ PLOT Act and AFIDA Improvement Act also reduce the malign influence of foreign adversaries like Communist China in American agriculture. When he was Governor of Nebraska, Ricketts led trade delegation trips to expand agriculture exports in Japan and Vietnam.",1,2026-05-20T06:27:31Z,2026-05-20T06:28:54Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=691DECE3-0E36-4427-AECB-B130BFD6453A,Fischer in Omaha World-Herald: I recently got back from China. Here's how I advocated for Nebraska.,2026-05-18,2026,2026-05,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"In case you missed it: In the Omaha World-Herald, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) detailed her recent official trip to China, during which she advocated for market access and the removal of non-tariff barriers for Nebraska farmers and ranchers. Read the full piece here or key excerpts below. “Last week, I returned from an official congressional delegation trip to China. Four of my Senate colleagues and I traveled to Beijing and Shanghai to foster productive relationships with foreign leaders and advocate for American — and Nebraskan — interests. We met with several top Chinese officials: Premier Li Qiang, National People's Congress Chairman Zhao Leji and Foreign Minister Wang Yi. “During these meetings, we talked about curbing the flow of fentanyl precursors into the United States, stability in the Strait of Hormuz, the Iranian foreign minister’s recent visit to China, supply chain security, rare earth minerals, artificial intelligence, and the basic importance of keeping direct lines of communication open between our two governments. “But let me tell you what was most on my mind while in Asia: Nebraska. That’s why we brought up market access and non-tariff barriers for Nebraska farmers and ranchers who are being shut out of one of the largest consumer markets on earth. “The Chinese beef market — the biggest in the world outside the United States — has been closed to American producers for over a year. Foreign Minister Yi told us that China has the demand for beef, and the United States can provide it. Now, they need to follow through. … “We also need to see more progress on stopping the flow of fentanyl. Premier Li has been open to working on this issue, and we made sure he knew how serious of a priority this is for us. Chinese authorities are beginning to cooperate more meaningfully to disrupt the pipeline that sends precursor chemicals from China to Mexico and ultimately into American communities. It is not enough yet. But it is movement, and we will keep pushing.” ###",1,2026-05-19T06:31:01Z,2026-05-19T06:32:40Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=F1A0E260-D9B2-4B15-94DF-B4A531560894,"Fischer Addresses Offutt Infrastructure Projects, POW/MIA Lab",2026-05-15,2026,2026-05,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"WASHINGTON –U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, questioned Department of Defense officials on the status of flood recovery projects and the failure to request funding for a new laboratory for the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) at Offutt Air Force Base. Download video of Fischer’s questioning here Download audio of Fischer’s questioning here Fischer’s questioning on Offutt infrastructure: FISCHER: General Bell, I appreciated our conversation yesterday on the importance of completing that flood recovery project that we have at Offutt. We have airmen and civilians that are working out of a building originally built as a bomber factory in World War II. As new facilities are being constructed and are being outfitted, do you have an estimate for when these new facilities are going to be completed? BELL: Senator Fischer, thank you for that question. Yes, of course, the floods that took place there were disastrous. The national disaster recovery plan for Offutt had seven different MILCON projects that were part of them. Four of them are complete. Three more are still in work with an estimated completion of September of [20]28 and I can certainly give you more details on those. Fischer’s questioning on POW/MIA lab: FISCHER: Mr. Marks, I'm very disappointed that the department has chosen not to include a MILCON request for a new laboratory for the Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency. The DPAA’s current laboratory at Offutt is housed in a World War II bomber factory that needs to be demolished. This agency has a sacred mission, and that's to account for missing service members in part of a solemn commitment to this country, and that it makes to service members willing to give their lives for the defense of our country. And failing to prioritize the construction of the agency's new lab is really at odds with that commitment. Mr. Marks, since the DPAA is a defense wide agency, it has a unique military construction prioritization. Will you commit to working with my office to ensure that the department understands this mission and the new laboratory is properly prioritized in future fiscal years? MARKS: Senator, absolutely. So, I've been to the one, not only in Hawaii, but also at Offutt. I'm very, very familiar. It is one of our most sacred, if not the most sacred, mission that we do have. And the director happens to be a personal friend of mine. We've spoken frequently about this. I will absolutely commit to look not only into this, but I'll follow back up with you to ensure that we're putting a proper priority on it to the best of our ability. Today’s hearing was convened by the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and Veterans Affairs to examine the fiscal year 2027 military construction and family housing budget. The following Department of Defense officials testified at the hearing: The Honorable Dale Marks, Assistant Secretary of Defense for Energy, Installations, and Environment, Department of Defense Lieutenant General Michelle Donahue, Deputy Chief of Staff for Army Logistics, United States Army Rear Admiral Timothy Brown, Director, Logistics Division, Office of the Chief of Naval Operations, United States Navy Lieutenant General Stephen Sklenka, Deputy Commandant for Installations and Logistics, United States Marine Corps Lieutenant General Kenyon Bell, Deputy Chief of Staff for Logistics, Engineering, and Force Protection, United States Air Force Ms. Kathryn Kolbe, Assistant Deputy Chief of Space Operations, Installations and Logistics, United States Space Force ###",1,2026-05-16T06:05:00Z,2026-05-16T06:06:37Z https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/news?ID=272F9F5B-80C7-4796-9832-55168FA17CBD,Fischer Honors Nebraska Law Enforcement During National Police Week,2026-05-14,2026,2026-05,Republican,Senate,NE,Deb Fischer,F000463,www.fischer.senate.gov,fischer,https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/press-releases,scraper,"Today, the U.S. Senate unanimously approved a resolution, cosponsored by Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE), recognizing National Police Week, which also honors fallen Nebraska State Patrol Trooper Kyle McAcy. “Last year, we mourned the loss of Nebraska State Patrol Trooper Kyle McAcy, who served our communities for a decade,” Fischer said. “I was proud to cosponsor this Senate-passed resolution honoring his service and recognizing National Police Week. To Nebraska’s men and women in blue: Thank you for your courage, sacrifice, and unwavering commitment to our people and state.” Fischer’s Work with Nebraska’s Law Enforcement: Federal investments As a member of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Fischer has secured millions of dollars to invest in Nebraska’s law enforcement. This includes upgrades to emergency communications and information systems and access to body cameras. Click here for more information on the funding Fischer secured this year. With federal funding Fischer secured in 2024, the Omaha Police Department was able to procure a new helicopter, now used by their Air Wing. Click here for more information, and click here to read more in the Omaha World-Herald. Legislation In 2024, Fischer’s Recruit and Retain Actwas signed into law, which provides law enforcement across the country with resources to combat staffing shortages. Fischer also recently joined her colleagues in introducing the Project Safe Neighborhoods Grant Program Reauthorization Act, to reauthorize the nationwide law enforcement program that uses evidence-based and data-driven approaches to reduce violent crime. Additionally, Fischer cosponsored the Protect and Serve Act, which would give federal prosecutors more tools to go after those who deliberately target law enforcement officers by creating a federal crime to knowingly cause, or attempt to cause, bodily injury to a law enforcement officer. Permalink: https://www.fischer.senate.gov/public/index.cfm/2026/5/fischer-honors-nebraska-law-enforcement-during-national-police-week",1,2026-05-15T06:17:41Z,2026-05-15T06:18:51Z