Thursday, January 2, 2014

The Year Ahead - Sen. Deb Fischer

 

 

A new year is a time for new beginnings – a fresh opportunity for creative solutions to our nation’s persistent problems.
Like many Nebraskans, I was disappointed in the lack of progress on some important issues last year. For starters, tax reform, which is a top way to grow our economy, seems to be going nowhere despite bipartisan calls for action. Another issue left unresolved was the farm bill. While significant progress has been made, the conferees still have not come to an agreement. Nebraskans are tired of kicking the can down the road, and so am I. Our country needs some certainty. Five-year farm policy is necessary to achieve that and I’m hopeful for a speedy resolution soon.
The Senate officially reconvenes on January 3. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid controls the Senate’s schedule, and he has stated that we will begin by voting on the confirmation of Janet Yellen, the president’s pick to chair the Federal Reserve. Following that vote, Senator Reid has indicated that he will call up legislation to address expired long-term unemployment benefits. The Senate will then move on to the so-called omnibus spending bill.
Because the Senate failed to pass any appropriations bills this year – a basic requirement of Congress – the House and Senate must now vote on a single spending measure to fund the government for the remainder of the fiscal year. The spending levels for this bill are determined by the budget resolution approved by Congress in December.
I opposed this budget deal for a number of reasons. While Washington must stop government by crisis, we can’t go along just to get along – it’s irresponsible. Rather than enacting serious spending reforms, this budget resolution delays nearly half of actual cuts until 2022 and 2023. I was elected to cut wasteful spending now, not to push the responsibility on to our children and grandchildren.
I was also deeply troubled by proposed cuts in retired pay for our military men and women, including those who had to retire for medical reasons. These changes would affect current retirees, instead of grandfathering in those already receiving benefits. Such a significant move must be fully evaluated in an open, transparent, and deliberative legislative process. While the Senate Armed Services Committee is expected to consider reforms to military compensation, I oppose rushed year-end efforts to make these changes, which would cost veterans thousands of dollars in previously promised payments.
Instead of first targeting our veterans for the budgetary chopping block, I support targeting wasteful spending – and there’s no shortage of it. Senator Tom Coburn just released his annual waste report, identifying $30 billion in misguided spending. That’s the tip of the iceberg.
Another big item on this year’s agenda is the transportation bill. As a member of the Environment and Public Works Committee, I will have the opportunity to shape this important legislation that sets priorities and directs spending on infrastructure improvement projects across the nation.
Previously, I served as Chair of the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee in the Nebraska Legislature. At the federal level, I’m committed to addressing infrastructure-funding challenges with the same fiscal responsibility we demonstrated in Nebraska. I will also fight to ensure resources are not squandered on unnecessary paperwork, which is often required by Washington bureaucrats. I will be asking for the input of Nebraskans as the committee moves forward on updating our nation’s transportation policy. Your ideas are key to my ability to identify and push back on regulations that are unnecessary or ineffective.
I value your feedback on all issues. I am so grateful for the time Nebraskans take to share their insights, thoughts, and concerns with me directly in person, or through handwritten letters, e-mail, and social media. Your ongoing involvement enables me to better serve you. I hope you will continue to reach out to me in the year ahead.
Thank you for participating in the democratic process and I look forward to visiting with you again next week.

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