Sen. Deb Fischer
Numerous Nebraska priorities championed by U.S. Sen. Deb Fischer (R-NE) were included in the six fiscal year 2024 government funding bills that the U.S. Senate approved on March 8 and President Joe Biden signed into law on Saturday, averting a government shutdown.
“This package includes several top priorities for our state,” Sen. Fischer said. “The investments we make today will ensure that Nebraska is well positioned to seize the opportunities ahead.”
The six-bill funding package consists of: the fiscal year 2024 Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration, and Related Agencies; Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies; Energy and Water Development; Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies; Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies; and Transportation, and Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies appropriations bills.
Among Nebraska-related priorities included in such bills, the senator said, are $41 million for a microgrid and backup power at Offutt Air Force Base, as well as $7 million for a new Vehicle Search Area at the base.
Other included priorities from Sen. Fischer are $25 million in funds to construct a U.S. Department of Agriculture Agricultural Research Service facility at the University of Nebraska for precision ag research, and $12.87 million for Minatare, Scottsbluff, and Morrill Counties to expand the Heartland Expressway to four lanes.
Additionally, more of the senator’s home-state priorities included in the package are $10 million for the Cedar Knox Rural Water Project to assist the county with establishing a secure, alternative drinking water source, constructing a treatment plant, and completing essential distribution system upgrades; and $4 million for the Omaha Police Department to modernize equipment, among many others.
“As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to push for the critical, high-impact investments that will support families and business across our state,” said Sen. Fischer.