Keeping America Safe

February 11, 2016 Leave a comment


By U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

On a recent trip to Offutt Air Force Base, I visited with military leaders and the airmen of the 55th Wing. Offutt is home to many critical resources and plays a vital role in defending our nation. I was there to continue my work with military leaders and receive updates on improvements to the base’s runway. These conversations revealed the positive progress taking place. We are blessed to have this military installation here in Nebraska.

 

While at Offutt, I also toured the 557th Weather Wing, which monitors weather patterns for the military around the world. The men and women of the 557th help ensure the Department of Defense has the most accurate and relevant weather information at all times for any location around the world. From monitoring solar flares and volcanic eruptions to typhoons and blizzards, the 557th uses the latest technology to alert commanders of the threat Mother Nature poses to their missions.

 

Following my visit, I returned to the U.S. Capitol for a busy week in the Senate Armed Services Committee (SASC). The first duty of the federal government is to defend the nation. As Nebraska’s voice on this influential committee, I am humbled to work with the men and women of our military. My colleagues and I strive to ensure that our service members are prepared to do their jobs and safely return home.

 

As part of its work, SASC meets regularly to receive updates on new and emerging threats to our national security. The committee often deals with highly classified, time-sensitive information on a wide scope of defense-related issues. In this week’s column, I would like to provide you with an update on some of the committee’s recent activities and highlight the work my colleagues and I are doing to help make America safe.

 

The committee continues to monitor the situation in Afghanistan. I recently met with General John Campbell, commander of U.S. forces there, to discuss America’s role and the challenges facing our mission. The day after our meeting, General Campbell provided an update on Afghanistan before the full committee. With an emboldened Taliban gaining ground in the region, I believe our military must have the proper authority to prosecute its mission. I was disappointed that it took the administration over a year for the White House to approve General Campbell’s request for permission to attack ISIL-affiliated forces that have begun appearing in Afghanistan.
This year, I am continuing my work as chairman of the Armed Services Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee. The jurisdiction of this subcommittee includes cybersecurity, special operations, and counterterrorism policy. Recently, I convened the subcommittee for a classified briefing on ISIL with members of the intelligence community. The goal of this session was to develop a better understanding of this terrorist group and how it operates. I also serve on the Armed Services Strategic Forces Subcommittee, which is responsible for overseeing the military’s nuclear and ballistic missile defense. This month, I attended a hearing of this subcommittee focused on the future of our nuclear forces.

 

Needless to say, the dangers of our world demand American strength. We have a moral obligation to ensure our military has the resources it needs to defend our nation. I’m proud to serve on SASC, and I will continue to make the tough choices to keep America safe and secure.

 

Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

 

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A Week in the Armed Services Committee

October 16, 2015 Leave a comment


Welcoming Nebraskans to the U.S. Senate is one of the most rewarding parts of my job. Whether it’s a family in town to see the historic sites of our nation’s capital, business representatives from our state, or members of Nebraska coalitions and organizations, visiting with you and listening to your concerns is an important part of my job.

 

But my work in Washington encompasses more. I serve as a member of four committees, including the Armed Services Committee, the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee, the Environment and Public Works Committee, and the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. These committee assignments help me advance Nebraska’s priorities through hearings, investigations, legislation I introduce, markups, and more.

 

In this week’s column, I would like to highlight the past week of activities in the Armed Services Committee. Through my role on this committee, I have been honored to work with the men and women of our military to ensure they have the tools and resources they need to successfully protect our nation, complete their missions, and safely return home.

 

The full Armed Services Committee is known for its rigorous hearing schedule. Last week alone, the committee held three hearings and a closed briefing. On Tuesday, we investigated the situation in Afghanistan and heard testimony from General John Campbell, the commander of U.S. forces in Afghanistan. In his prepared remarks, General Campbell stressed the importance of our mission in Afghanistan, warning failure will result in a new sanctuary for terrorists and a launch pad for attacks on our citizens here at home and abroad.

 

The day before the hearing, I had the privilege of meeting privately with General Campbell in my office. During our meeting, he provided me with an update on our mission in Afghanistan. His comments projected a sobering reality that will guide our priorities in the years to come.

 

On Wednesday, the committee held a hearing regarding the effect that Iranian influence is having on Middle East stability. The hearing further underscored the dangers of the Iranian regime’s threats to global stability.

 

These hearings come in the wake of alarming developments in the Middle East, where Russia began attacks on CIA-trained rebels in Syria. These reports are deeply disturbing, and they reveal the damage caused by our absence and lack of a strategy in the region. For that reason, our third hearing of the week examined Russian strategy and military operations.

 

Each week, our work in the Armed Services Committee reveals more clearly that we live in a dangerous world. In that vein, every year, the committee authorizes appropriations for our national defense and sets policy priorities for the U.S. military in an annual bill, known as the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). This bill has passed Congress for 54 consecutive years and is truly a bipartisan effort.

 

This year, I was pleased to see our committee once again produce a bipartisan bill to ensure our military is prepared for the threats facing our nation. I was proud to serve on the NDAA conference committee, which reconciled the House and Senate versions of the bill. The final version passed the Senate this week and now heads to the president’s desk.

 

Our most important duty in Congress is to provide for the defense of our nation. As Nebraska’s voice on the Armed Services Committee making the decisions that provide for our country’s security, I take my role seriously. We live in a world that demands American strength.

 

Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

 

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