NEBRASKA - SENATOR DEB FICHER IS GETTING THE JOB DONE!

Dear Friend,   These past few weeks in Washington have been very productive, but I always look forward to spending time on the road in Nebraska. Recently, I began a weeklong state work period traveling our state with stops in Omaha, Lincoln, Norfolk, Bellevue, Stanton, and Hebron. I cherish the opportunity to visit in local communities around our state and listen to Nebraskans. Being able to identify the needs of families and communities is an essential part of my job as your senator.  Continue reading for more updates from my office.   Three Major Bills Signed Into Law I worked with my colleagues across the aisle to pass Right to Try legislation, relieve constrictive Dodd-Frank regulations that have plagued our community banks, and improve medical coverage for our veterans. I was a proud co-sponsor of all three bills that passed both chambers of Congress and were signed into law by the President Donald Trump. Click here to read more about these bills.   Bringing FCC Commissioner Brendan Carr to Northeast Nebraska During the recent state work week, I welcomed Federal Communications Commissioner Brendan Carr to Northeast Nebraska. We started our day at Northeast Community College in Stanton, where we learned about their fascinating precision agriculture curriculum. New information technology and the data these systems gather help our amazing agriculture producers make decisions as they feed the world.  Later in the day, Commissioner Carr and I toured Stanton Telecom, a small, community provider, and led a roundtable discussion with Nebraska telecom stakeholders. The future of Nebraska is bright and by expanding broadband across rural America our state can continue to grow and prosper. I am committed to working with Commissioner Carr to bring next generation internet connectivity to families and businesses in Nebraska and all throughout rural America.    Providing for the Common Defense and Securing Wins for Offutt AFB The Senate Armed Services Committee has once again come together in a strong bipartisan manner and passed the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019. This bill, which provides for the common defense, will increase funding by $550 million for maintenance to address critical readiness shortfalls, and it authorizes a pay raise of 2.6% for all members of the uniformed services. During the markup process, I was pleased to help lead efforts to restore funding to recapitalize the OC-135B and other key platforms used by our airmen and women at Offutt Air Force Base in critical national security missions. As the chairman of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, I'm also proud of the provisions in the bill to modernize our nuclear forces and to improve our ballistic missile defense and space capabilities. Click here for more highlights of FY 2019 NDAA.     Keeping Families Healthy and Safe with the America's Water Infrastructure Act The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee advanced the America's Water Infrastructure Act out of committee. This bill will cut government red tape and streamline the permitting process for projects to keep families healthy and safe. Included in this bill is my Water Infrastructure Flexibility Act, which will allow communities more autonomy as they prioritize and plan for wastewater and stormwater investments.  With this added flexibility, communities, like Omaha, would be able to address water infrastructure updates in a manner that does not increase utility bills for residents. Additionally, this bill increases navigability of our nation's inland waterways system, which our ag producers use to transport commodities to our ports and out to the world. Click here to read more about my Water Infrastructure Flexibility Act.   IN THE NEWS Editorial Scottsbluff Star-Herald: Print Act Needs to Pass Omaha World-Herald: Senate, House defense bills in conflict over funding for breakdown-prone Offutt jets Hastings Tribune: Fischer, Roberts talk ag in Hastings Norfolk Daily News: Fischer, FCC official seeks to boost rural connectivity  Wahoo Newspaper: Fischer welcomes announcement of new guidance on Hours of Service Rules for Livestock and ag haulers FEATURED LINKS Video: Fischer Talks Water Infrastructure in EPW Committee Photos: Vietnam War Honor Flight LIKE OUR NEWSLETTER?

Photos of the Month I enjoyed meeting the leadership students from Union College in Lincoln at a recent Nebraska Breakfast. Click here for more information on upcoming Nebraska Breakfast times and dates.  Thanks to Captain Doug Carlson, Major General Daryl Bohac, and Lieutenant Colonel Richard Gray for stopping by my office  to provide an update on the Nebraska National Guard. I was honored to join Rep. Adrian Smith in welcoming Nebraska's Vietnam Veterans to the U.S. Capitol. As always, it's a humbling experience to hear their stories and express my deep gratitude for their service to them in person. It was a pleasure meeting with Brian Petersen, president of the State Troopers Association of Nebraska, to discuss highway safety issues.  I appreciate my friends from Nebraska Farm Bureau for stopping by my office to discuss trade and the upcoming farm bill.  Deb Fischer U.S. Senator for Nebraska

Lincoln Office 440 North 8th Street Suite 120 Lincoln, Nebraska 68508 Phone: (402) 441-4600 Fax: (402) 476-8753 Omaha Office 11819 Miracle Hills Drive Suite 205 Omaha, Nebraska 68154 Phone: (402) 391-3411 Fax: (402) 391-4725 Kearney Office 20 West 23rd Street Kearney, NE 68847 Phone: (308) 234-2361 Fax: (308) 234-3684   Scottsbluff Office 120 East 16th Street Suite 203 Phone: (308) 630-2329 Fax: (308) 630-2321   Washington D.C. Office 454 Russell Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510 Phone: (202) 224-6551 Fax: (202) 228-1325