Exposing a Rogue Regime

February 16, 2016 Leave a comment


By U.S. Senator Deb Fischer

For years, North Korea has been determined to sustain its regime through intimidation and reckless behavior. From nuclear and ballistic missile tests to cyberattacks, the belligerence of Dictator Kim Jong-un demonstrates that this rogue nation is a serious threat to the region and U.S. national security.

 

Yet, as these threats have grown and continued, American foreign policy has lacked the firm resolve to curtail North Korea’s behavior.

 

In the Senate, I serve on the Armed Services Committee and chair its subcommittee on emerging threats. Our committee has closely tracked North Korea’s growing capabilities and repeatedly taken action to ensure our nation’s defense stays ahead of this threat. For example, in 2013, the committee authorized additional funding for the deployment of a long-range missile defense radar system. This technology, which is now under development, will improve our ability to track and intercept North Korean missiles. The committee has also authorized increased resources for the Ground-based Midcourse Defense (GMD) program. This is the interceptor system which defends the United States from ballistic missile attack.

 

Simply improving our nation’s defenses, however, does not address the source of the problem. Indeed, these efforts must be paired with a policy that uses the weight of U.S. economic and diplomatic influence to isolate the North Korean regime and those who do business with it.

 

This month, the Senate came together to take action. By a unanimous vote, the Senate passed the North Korea Sanctions and Policy Enhancement Act. The bill seeks to target the regime’s financial supporters and the hidden avenues that have subsidized its belligerence. It does this through greater enforcement of sanctions on their nuclear and ballistic missile programs. In addition, the bill codifies and expands sanctions against North Korea for its malicious cyberattacks and its egregious abuse of human rights.

 

Senators on both sides of the aisle are in agreement: the flow of resources that support this behavior must be stopped. The bill now heads to the president’s desk, where he is expected to sign it into law. Congress has acted, and I’m proud to have supported this important step toward better addressing threats to our national security.

 

However, Congress’s efforts are only part of the solution. It will soon be up to the president to implement the authority that Congress has given him. I believe the overwhelming bipartisan approval of this legislation demonstrates the support of the American people for a firmer policy toward North Korea. It is my hope that this bill galvanizes the president to hold the regime and its patrons accountable. More must also be done to improve cooperation with our allies in the region and make it clear to Russia and China that an irrational, nuclear-armed nation on the Korean peninsula is not in their best interest.

 

Congress must continue to conduct rigorous oversight and ensure that the administration acts on these sanctions. The security of our nation will always remain at the forefront of my priorities, and I am honored to continue this work.

 

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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Fischer Statement on Paris Attacks

November 14, 2015 Leave a comment


WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.), a member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and chairman of the Subcommittee on Emerging Threats and Capabilities, released the following statement regarding last night’s terrorist attacks in Paris, France:

 

“Last night, the world witnessed unimaginable terror and the very real threat Islamic terrorism poses to free and open societies. I join all Nebraskans in our deep sorrow and solidarity with the people of France as they grieve and persevere through this tragedy.

 

“As these events in Paris have united the world in grief, so too must the world unite with resolve. Those responsible for planning and coordinating this horrific assault on innocent civilians must be held to account. The messages of hate and radicalism that underpin these attacks demands a global response.

 

“In the days and weeks ahead, I hope the people of France will take comfort in the prayers and aid of the American people. We are in this together.”

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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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