I have enjoyed hearing from you as I travel across the state of Nebraska this month. In my meetings and listening sessions from college campuses in Omaha to coffee shops in Chadron, I have appreciated the candid conversations about the challenges facing our nation. This feedback guides my efforts to bring Nebraska common sense to Washington.
We have accomplished many things by restoring important deliberation and debate to the U.S. Senate. It has been refreshing to move away from partisan divide and focus instead on making progress.
As we begin the final half of 2015, I am proud to be part of this new majority – one that is more efficient, more productive, and more accountable to the American people. This year alone, over 80 bipartisan bills have passed the Senate. Thirty-one of these bills have been signed into law, including legislation to expand trade, a bill to bring justice to the perpetrators of human trafficking, and a bill that requires Congress to have a say in the Iran nuclear agreement.
But none of this matters without an open process. All senators – no matter their party – must have the opportunity to have their voices heard. In 2014, then-Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada allowed only 15 roll call votes on amendments. So far this year, the Senate has taken 160.
In this new atmosphere, I have been able to work with my colleagues on both sides of the aisle to achieve good things for Nebraskans and all Americans.
In January, I introduced a bill to authorize the minting of commemorative coins in honor of Boys Town’s 100th anniversary. This past July, it was signed into law. In the Senate, we spread the message of Boys Town and what this organization has done for countless families across the country. It didn’t take long before we received major bipartisan support for this legislation, collecting 73 cosponsors. During a visit to Boys Town this month, I was honored to present a copy of the law to the current director, Father Steven Boes.
Meanwhile, industries like agriculture and transportation are using new technologies to increase efficiency and drive growth through interconnected devices. This phenomenon is often referred to as the “Internet of Things.” As a world leader in technology, the United States needs to capitalize on the economic potential of innovation. In that vein, I led a bipartisan coalition of senators to pass a Senate resolution that commits our nation to a strategy for the Internet of Things. It incentivizes the use of new technologies and seeks to maximize consumer opportunity and economic growth. This resolution, which passed the Senate in March, is an important first step in promoting new ideas and innovations for years to come. I am pleased to be a leader for new technology in the Senate.
Bipartisan achievements do not stop there. In May, I joined Senator Bill Nelson, a Democrat from Florida, to introduce the E-Warranty Act. This bill would provide manufacturers with the option of posting their warranty information online. In an age where technology is getting smaller, faster, and more efficient, companies need the flexibility to meet the demands of their consumers.
I also teamed up with Senator Joe Manchin, a Democrat from West Virginia, on a proposal to eliminate a ridiculous situation where the government has been spending money on nothing. Together we introduced the Grants Oversight and New Efficiency Act. By requiring agencies to close out expired grant accounts, this bill would help prevent the federal government from throwing away your hard-earned dollars.
These are just a few of the ways I am working hard to represent Nebraska’s interests by reaching across the aisle. We have achieved many successes, but our work is only beginning. Nebraskans deserve accountability and results, not gridlock and uncertainty. With your continued feedback, we can ensure that this pattern of productivity continues.
Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.
U.S. Senator Deb Fischer
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