Cornhusker State News

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) has issued a statement following the Senate's passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, which includes several provisions aimed at supporting working families, small businesses, and national security.

“Last November, Americans spoke loud and clear: they want safer communities, lower energy costs, and real relief for working families. Today, the Senate delivered—blocking a $4 trillion tax hike and investing in border security to keep America safe. This bill locks in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, saving the average Nebraska family $2,400 a year. It keeps taxes low, boosts small businesses, strengthens our military, supports farmers and ranchers, and makes energy more affordable for everyone.

“I’m also pleased this bill makes permanent my Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) Tax Credit. Since I established the nation’s first and only federal PFML policy in 2017, this credit has empowered employers of all sizes to offer paid leave to their workers voluntarily, rather than through a government mandate. Now, employers across America have the certainty they need to support employees as they care for a newborn or an aging parent without sacrificing their job or paycheck.

“I urge the House to take up this bill and send it to the president’s desk so we can deliver on our promises to empower working families and keep America safe, strong, and prosperous.”

The legislation contains Fischer-backed measures such as making permanent the Paid Family Medical Leave Employer Tax Credit. This provision allows employers nationwide to voluntarily provide paid family leave without a federal mandate.

Another part of the bill provides specific spectrum bands exclusively for Department of Defense use for missile defense systems like the Golden Dome Missile Defense Shield. The bill also repeals staffing mandates from recent regulations that could have led to closures of long-term care facilities affecting seniors’ access to care.

For Nebraska residents specifically, provisions include preventing an estimated $2,400 tax increase per average family by maintaining elements of previous tax law changes. The legislation aims to protect thousands of jobs in Nebraska as well as preserve estate tax exemptions for family-owned farms. Additionally, it ensures that child tax credits remain intact for hundreds of thousands of households in Nebraska while maintaining standard deductions for many families.

Work requirements are established within certain benefit programs for able-bodied adults who do not have dependents or elderly parents under their care. The legislation also stipulates that tips or overtime pay will not be taxed for millions of tipped or hourly workers.

Support is extended to agriculture by prolonging clean fuels production credits benefiting biofuel producers; enhancing crop insurance; expanding market opportunities through trade promotion; increasing disease prevention funding; and boosting agricultural research efforts.

Border security receives significant investment with billions allocated toward constructing border infrastructure—including walls—and enhancing surveillance technology at entry points. Funding is also directed toward increased staffing at U.S. Customs and Border Patrol along with improvements in migrant screening processes.

National security components include funds dedicated to modernizing nuclear weapons systems and expanding munitions procurement capacity as well as investments into layered missile defense shields like America’s Golden Dome project.