The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee on Wednesday considered lifting a prohibition on the sale of 15 percent ethanol (E15) gasoline during the summer months, legislation sponsored by U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) that would expand consumer choice Read more…
Senate leaders called the Trump administration’s announcement on Monday that it had reached an agreement to restore U.S. beef exports to China great news for cattle producers and families across the country. The agreement, which will end China’s ban on Read more…
The Treasury Department would be given authority to recover unclaimed federal assets, a move projected to save $85 million over 10 years, under government reform legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) on Friday. Under the Recovering and Collecting Read more…
Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) employees would face greater accountability and oversight under a bill that the Senate approved on Tuesday with support from U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE), Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Pat Roberts (R-KS). The VA Accountability and Read more…
The nation’s farmers and ranchers would see relief from burdensome fuel storage regulations that were intended for major oil refineries under legislation U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) introduced on Tuesday. An Environmental Protection Agency regulation called the Spill Prevention, Control Read more…
Online hotel booking scams that trick customers into thinking that they’re making reservations directly with hotels would be targeted under legislation introduced by U.S. Sens. Steve Daines (R-MT) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) on Wednesday. The Stop Online Booking Scams Act Read more…
U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Jeff Flake (R-AZ) led a letter on Monday that highlighted the positive impacts of the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) and the potential consequences of abandoning the trade deal. The letter to U.S. Read more…
Bipartisan, bicameral legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) would ensure that young mothers have access to lactation rooms at large- and medium sized airports. U.S. Rep. Steve Knight (R-CA) introduced the companion bill in the House. The Friendly Read more…
Recognizing the importance of international trade to American agriculture, U.S. Department of Agriculture Secretary Sonny Perdue’s announcement of the creation of an undersecretary for trade and foreign agricultural affairs was met applause from U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA), John Hoeven Read more…
Veterans suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) would have access to therapeutic service dogs under bipartisan legislation reintroduced by U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) on Wednesday. The Puppies Assisting Wounded Service members (PAWS) Act would direct the Department of Veterans Read more…
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) led a bipartisan group of senators who urged the Federal Communications Commission to take additional steps to advance rural deployment of broadband internet and to address its high costs. Fischer and U.S. Sen. Amy Klobuchar Read more…
Enhancing the flow of commercial freight across the country grows the economy, reduces costs and promotes safety, U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) said at a subcommittee hearing on freight policy on Tuesday. Fischer, the chairman of the Senate Commerce Subcommittee Read more…
Local communities would be given flexibility to comply with Clean Water Act requirements when updating aging water infrastructure under legislation introduced by U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) that garnered bipartisan support. The Water Infrastructure Flexibility Act, which Fischer introduced with Read more…
Federal employees who commit major infractions under an agency’s code of conduct would be ineligible for bonuses under bipartisan legislation reintroduced by U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Dean Heller (R-NV) on Wednesday. The Stop Improper Federal Bonuses Act would Read more…
Taxpayers would have greater ability to see how the Treasury Department uses a little-known account to pay court judgments and settlements under legislation reintroduced by U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) on Friday. Under the Judgment Fund Read more…
Bipartisan legislation led by U.S. Sen. John Barrasso (R-WY) would enable the processing of licenses for new nuclear reactors and advanced nuclear reactors in an effort to encourage innovation in an industry that provides electricity to millions of people. The Read more…
Bills reintroduced by U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) on Thursday would encourage equal pay through transparency and would incentivize businesses to offer paid family leave through a tax credit. The Workplace Advancement Act, which Fischer reintroduced with U.S. Sens. Joni Read more…
U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) introduced bipartisan legislation to require the Department of Defense (DoD) to track the cyber capabilities of National Guard and Reserve units to bolster national security. The DoD Emergency Response Capabilities Database Read more…
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) recently introduced innovative legislation to help strengthen the nation’s crumbling infrastructure by allowing states to enter into agreements with the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) that grant them more control over highway projects. The Build USA Read more…
Bipartisan legislation recently introduced by U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-MN) would harness public-private collaboration to grow the network of everyday items with internet connectivity, known as the Internet of Things (IoT). The Developing Innovation and Growing the Internet of Things Read more…
Elected officials would be prohibited from using taxpayer dollars to pay for self portraits under legislation reintroduced by U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Ron Johnson (R-WI). The Eliminating Government-Funded Oil Painting (EGO) Act would prohibit the Read more…
The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee approved three bipartisan bills on Tuesday that U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) introduced to modernize and improve telecommunication laws. The committee approved Kari’s Law, which would make it easier to dial 911 on Read more…
U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Thom Tillis (R-NC) and Mike Rounds (R-SD) were tapped this week to lead key subcommittees of the Senate Armed Services Committee. U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-AZ), the chairman of the committee, announced Read more…
U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE) and John Hoeven (R-ND) supported passage of a budget blueprint that sets in motion the repeal and replacement of the landmark Affordable Care Act (ACA). Approval of the budget blueprint on Thursday Read more…
Bipartisan legislation reintroduced by U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Cory Gardner (R-CO) would work to expand a globally interconnected network of technology and identify potential barriers to growth. The Developing and Growing the Internet of Things (DIGIT) Act resulted Read more…
Bipartisan legislation authored by U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) to strengthen the U.S. response to the Boko Haram terrorist group was recently signed into law by President Barack Obama. Collins’ bill calls for a five-year U.S. strategy to counter Boko Read more…
U.S. Sen. Cory Gardner (R-CO) led a congressional call for the Obama administration to stop issuing non-emergency rules and regulations during the presidential transition. In a letter to President Obama, Gardner wrote that Americans signaled a clear and direct repudiation Read more…
Leaders in both chambers of Congress applauded President-elect Donald Trump’s nomination of Elaine Chao as secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Chao, who served as President George W. Bush’s Secretary of Labor for eight years, was the first American Read more…
U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA), Deb Fischer (R-NE) and John Barrasso (R-WY) traveled to Qatar and Afghanistan over the Thanksgiving holiday to give thanks to U.S. service members stationed there. In addition to meeting with service members in Qatar, the Read more…
U.S. Sens. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) said on Friday that it is “unacceptable” for the Obama administration to pay billions of dollars to “bail out” insurers under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). The administration has signaled to Read more…
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) hosted a roundtable in Grand Island, Nebraska, on Friday to explore policies and proposals designed to improve broadband access for agriculture producers. FCC Commissioner Michael O’Rielly and local stakeholders from Nebraska’s agricultural industry also attended Read more…
Congressional leaders reacted to the Department of State’s admission on Thursday that a $400 million cash payment to Iran was contingent upon Iran’s release of U.S. prisoners. U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) said that despite “seven months of denial” from Read more…
Congressional leaders reacted to a U.S. Court of Appeals ruling on Wednesday that overturned an FCC decision to preempt state restrictions on municipal broadband networks. U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) led a letter in December that raised concerns about FCC Read more…
U.S. Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Chairman Pat Roberts (R-KS) led a bipartisan call on Tuesday for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) to revise a proposed Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) rule that could limit access to Read more…
Bipartisan legislation recently introduced by U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) would rollback federal standards that could add production costs and bring uncertainty to farmers. The Fertilizer Access and Responsible Management (FARM) Act, introduced by Fischer and U.S. Sen. Heidi Heitkamp Read more…
The Senate adopted the Comprehensive Addiction and Recovery Act (CARA), S. 524, conference report with bipartisan support on Wednesday, which marks the first time Congress has supported long-term addiction recovery. The bill now goes to President Barack Obama to be Read more…
The Senate approved a bipartisan proposal on Thursday that was led by U.S. Sen. Pat Roberts (R-KS) to protect the use of biotechnology. The bill – S.764 – would amend the Agricultural Marketing Act of 1946 to require the secretary Read more…
Legislation introduced by U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) on Thursday would help hold illegal immigrants responsible for crimes that lead to serious injury or death. Sarah’s Law, named for 21-year-old Sarah Root, who was killed by Read more…
The Senate approved bipartisan legislation on Monday that was championed by U.S. Sens. Deb Fischer (R-NE) and Steve Daines (R-MT) to help ensure the safety of America’s pipeline network. Fischer and Daines introduced the Securing America’s Future Energy: Protecting Our Read more…
Legislation introduced by U.S. Rep. Lynn Jenkins (R-KS) on Monday would allow employees to discuss compensation with colleagues in an effort to ensure equal compensation for equal work. The Workplace Advancement Act, H.R. 5237, would amend the Fair Labor Standards Read more…
U.S. Rep. Erik Paulsen (R-MN) introduced bipartisan legislation on Friday that would establish a public-private working group to provide guidance on how the Internet connectivity of everyday objects can be expanded. The Developing Innovation and Growing the Internet of Things Read more…
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) introduced bipartisan legislation on Thursday that would reauthorize and modernize the Department of Transportation’s Maritime Administration (MARAD). Fischer and U.S. Sen. Cory Booker (D-NJ) introduced the Maritime Administration Authorization and Enhance Act, S. 2829, which Read more…
The Senate approved the bipartisan Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act on Tuesday, which includes key aviation safety and consumer protection provisions. The bill would authorize $33.1 billion in funding for FAA programs through September 2017. It also includes provisions to Read more…
U.S. Sens. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Deb Fischer (R-NB) and Rob Portman (R-OH) commemorated National Equal Pay Day on Tuesday by highlighting legislative efforts to curb gender-based pay discrimination. Ayotte introduced the Gender Advancement in Pay (GAP) Act, S. 2773, to Read more…
U.S. Sens. Joni Ernst (R-IA) and Deb Fischer (R-NE) sought answers on Friday about why an undocumented immigrant was “not a priority” to immigration officials after an alleged fatal drunken driving crash. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) reportedly denied requests Read more…
The Senate approved bipartisan legislation on Thursday introduced by U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) to ensure the country’s pipeline network remains safe. The Securing Americans Future Energy: Protecting Our Infrastructure of Pipelines and Enhancing Safety (SAFE PIPES) Act, S. 2276, Read more…
U.S. Sens. Kelly Ayotte (R-NH), Deb Fischer (R-NE), Cory Booker (D-NJ) and Brian Schatz (D-HI) introduced legislation on Tuesday to bring a national Internet strategy into focus concerning future technology, known as the “Internet of Things” (IoT). The Developing Innovation Read more…
U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) co-introduced a bipartisan bill on Monday that would close a legal loophole that enables scammers to display incorrect information on victims’ caller ID displays, called “spoofing.” Fischer and Sen. Bill Nelson (D-FL) introduced the Spoofing Read more…
U.S. Sen. Steve Daines (R-MT) was joined by five Senate colleagues on Friday in a letter calling on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to clarify its arbitrary and inconsistent broadband definitions, which could have a detrimental impact on Montanans. Daines, Read more…
The Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee held its first hearing of 2016 on Wednesday to consider the nomination of T.F. Scott Darling III as administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA). U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) chaired Read more…