Deb Fischer
The start of a new year invites more than resolutions; it invites reflection. As I look back on 2025, I do so with an eye toward what effective governing should mean at a time when Americans are stretched by costs, uncertainty, and rapid change. For me, the past year was defined by a simple focus: strengthening the foundation for working families, our communities, and the industries that keep our country secure and prosperous. I kept this mission front and center while sitting on six committees and chairing two subcommittees. These leadership roles kept me busy, as I attended nearly 120 hearings and briefings this past year.
One of Congress’ most consequential achievements in 2025 was passage of the Working Families Tax Cuts — I was proud to play a role in crafting and voting for its passage. At its core, the law reflects a belief that economic growth starts with families and small businesses — not Washington. The law keeps taxes low, blocks a $4 trillion tax hike, and saves the average Nebraska family more than $2,400 a year. It protects the Child Tax Credit for 239,000 Nebraska households, shields 44,000 family-owned farms from a sharply reduced death tax exemption, eliminates taxes on tips and overtime for hourly workers, and lowers energy costs. It also includes historic investments in border security.
Just as importantly, the law made permanent my Paid Family and Medical Leave Tax Credit. Since establishing the nation’s first and only nationwide PFML policy, this credit has given employers — large and small — the flexibility to offer paid leave voluntarily. Its permanence gives businesses certainty and gives workers the ability to care for a newborn child or aging parent without risking their job or paycheck.
The law also included my Protecting Rural Seniors’ Access to Care Act, which reversed an unrealistic nursing home staffing mandate that threatened to close facilities across rural America. This fix ensures that seniors — especially those outside metropolitan areas — can continue to access safe, quality care close to home.
Beyond this landmark legislation, I introduced 32 bills, resolutions, and provisions in 2025 aimed at positioning Nebraska for long-term success, four of which have already been signed into law. I’ve cosponsored 136 pieces of legislation, and I’m proud to say 14 of these bills have been enacted.
Agriculture remains the economic engine of our state, and I championed policies to support producers, expand year-round E15, and secure more than $17.5 million for cutting-edge research. I also reintroduced my Precision Agriculture Package to help farmers adopt innovative tools that improve productivity while reducing resource use.
As a senior member of the Senate Commerce Committee, I worked to modernize vehicle safety standards, improve transparency in transportation oversight, and ensure Nebraska’s transportation sector is treated fairly. I was also proud to see the president sign my resolution overturning an electric vehicle mandate that would have imposed nationwide emissions policy by the federal government rather than consumer choice.
Supporting those who served our great nation remains a core responsibility. In 2025, I advanced legislation to improve veterans’ access to health care, including making it easier to schedule appointments and enabling communities to help plan and construct VA facilities through my CHIP IN for Veterans Act.
On the Armed Services and Appropriations Committees, I helped secure key defense investments, including more than $54 million for Offutt Air Force Base, a 3.8% pay raise for service members, and passage of my FACT Act to protect American technology and telecommunications from foreign adversaries.
Throughout it all, Nebraskans’ priorities guided my work — whether expanding broadband access, supporting rural hospitals, modernizing child care, or honoring the legacy of the North Platte Canteen.
Governing is ultimately about showing up and doing the hard work. I participated in over 500 meetings and events with constituents across Nebraska and in Washington, DC. In 2025, we recovered over $9.8 million in federal casework funds to Nebraskans. My team opened 628 new cases, completed 689 constituent cases, and visited all 93 counties. That work continues. It is an honor to serve Nebraska, and I look forward to building on this foundation in the year ahead.
Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.
Deb Fischer represents Nebraska in the United States Senate. Read her column in the Nance County Journal.