Cornhusker State News

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) has outlined her approach to federal spending and fiscal responsibility, emphasizing a careful review of government expenditures and targeted investments in Nebraska. In a recent opinion piece, Fischer discussed the Senate Appropriations Committee’s method of crafting annual funding bills by identifying and eliminating programs considered wasteful.

"In the Senate Appropriations Committee, we’re not swinging a sledgehammer in our work to bring fiscal sanity back to the appropriations process. We’re using a scalpel as we craft the 12 annual government funding bills — carefully identifying programs that waste taxpayer dollars and cutting them so the money can be put to better use," Fischer stated.

She noted that voters have expressed support for restoring fiscal responsibility, referencing Congress’s passage of a $9 billion rescissions package in July. According to Fischer, this package aimed to eliminate projects she described as unnecessary or inconsistent with congressional intent.

"For example, gender diversity initiatives for street lighting in Mexico, an Iraqi version of 'Sesame Street,' and wind farms in Ukraine. These cuts were a small but important step toward reducing the reckless spending that has helped push our national debt past $37 trillion," she said.

Fischer highlighted bipartisan efforts within the Appropriations Committee to rescind more than $11 billion in unspent Internal Revenue Service funds from previous legislation. She argued that these measures are part of a broader effort to address rising national debt while ensuring federal dollars are directed toward projects with tangible benefits for Nebraska.

"But cutting this type of waste is only half the job. The other half is making sure federal dollars are invested where they make a real difference — and for me, that means delivering for Nebraska," Fischer wrote.

Among the investments cited were $18 million allocated for modernizing health care facilities across Nebraska, including support for the University of Nebraska Medical Center's new training facility focused on air transport of infectious disease patients. She also mentioned securing over $200 million for defense programs at Offutt Air Force Base and $54.3 million for next-generation aircraft operations at the base.

Infrastructure improvements featured prominently in her remarks, with more than $18 million dedicated to water infrastructure upgrades across several communities and over $60 million advanced for road, bridge, and safety projects throughout the state. Additionally, Fischer pointed out $16 million secured for agricultural research at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Innovation Campus.

"These are the kinds of investments Nebraskans expect and deserve — targeted, results-oriented projects that deliver value for our state and our nation, not wasteful pet projects that advance a political agenda," she said.

Fischer concluded by expressing her commitment to advancing these funding bills through Congress before the September 30 deadline. She credited Republican leadership with restoring votes on individual appropriations bills—a move she believes will increase transparency in federal spending decisions.

"Thanks to Republican leadership in the Senate, we will finally be voting on individual appropriations bills — restoring a process that was ignored under Senator Chuck Schumer. That’s how we bring transparency back to spending decisions and ensure every dollar is scrutinized."

She reaffirmed her priorities: "The path forward is clear: cut waste where we find it, invest wisely in what matters, and always put Nebraska’s interests first. That’s exactly what I’ll keep fighting to do."