Cornhusker State News

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) voted in favor of a funding package intended to reopen the federal government and provide $72 million for community projects in Nebraska. The Senate approved the legislative package with a 60-40 vote.

The legislation includes appropriations for Fiscal Year 2026 covering Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies; Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Related Agencies; as well as the Legislative Branch and Related Agencies. It also maintains current funding levels for other federal agencies through January 30, 2026.

“After voting 16 times to reopen the federal government, I am encouraged that Senate Democrats have finally come to the table. This package delivers results I secured for Nebraska – including crucial funding that will benefit the Omaha VA and over $54 million for mission critical programs at Offutt Air Force Base. It also directs an additional $16 million for UNL’s ARS center, which follows a total investment of over $56 million I’ve helped secure over the last five fiscal years. While this legislation is an important step forward, we still need the House to take up and pass this package swiftly so we can reopen the government and get back to work for the American people,” Fischer said.

Key provisions Fischer advanced in the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs Appropriations Act include nearly $1.4 billion for major construction projects by the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA), supporting future funding needs at Omaha VA hospital. The act instructs the VA to purchase essential medical devices from U.S. or allied manufacturers, while requiring a report on reducing reliance on Chinese medical devices without causing shortages. Additionally, it mandates a report on implementation of the External Provider Scheduling program with recommendations to increase community provider participation.

For Offutt Air Force Base, Fischer secured $42.3 million for planning and designing a new Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC), $6 million each for a consolidated training complex/professional development center and a new dormitory.

In agriculture-related appropriations, $16 million will go toward USDA Agricultural Research Service facilities at University of Nebraska-Lincoln’s Innovation Campus, along with $1.5 million directed to UNL’s National Drought Mitigation Center.

Further provisions prioritize beef industry research at Clay Center’s U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) and require USDA to streamline contracting services to help USMARC manage facility improvement costs.