SE Nebraska News

U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) issued a statement following the Senate’s passage of the One Big Beautiful Bill, which includes several provisions she championed.

“Last November, Americans spoke loud and clear: they want safer communities, lower energy costs, and real relief for working families. Today, the Senate delivered—blocking a $4 trillion tax hike and investing in border security to keep America safe. This bill locks in the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, saving the average Nebraska family $2,400 a year. It keeps taxes low, boosts small businesses, strengthens our military, supports farmers and ranchers, and makes energy more affordable for everyone.

“I’m also pleased this bill makes permanent my Paid Family and Medical Leave (PFML) Tax Credit. Since I established the nation’s first and only federal PFML policy in 2017, this credit has empowered employers of all sizes to offer paid leave to their workers voluntarily, rather than through a government mandate. Now, employers across America have the certainty they need to support employees as they care for a newborn or an aging parent without sacrificing their job or paycheck.

“I urge the House to take up this bill and send it to the president’s desk so we can deliver on our promises to empower working families and keep America safe, strong, and prosperous.”

The legislation permanently extends the Paid Family Medical Leave Employer Tax Credit created by Fischer in 2017. This policy allows employers to voluntarily provide paid leave benefits without a federal mandate.

Other provisions include measures supporting national defense by reserving certain spectrum bands for Department of Defense use. The bill also repeals a staffing requirement for long-term care facilities that Fischer said could have led to closures affecting seniors’ access to care.

For Nebraska families, the bill prevents an average tax increase of over $2,400 per household. It maintains current estate tax exemptions for family-owned farms and preserves jobs across the state. Child tax credits remain unchanged for more than 239,000 households in Nebraska; standard deductions are also preserved for over 868,000 families.

The measure introduces work requirements for able-bodied adults who do not have dependents or elderly parents under their care. Additionally, it ensures that tips or overtime pay are not taxed for tipped and hourly workers.

Nebraska’s agricultural sector will see continued support through an extension of clean fuels production credits and increased funding for crop insurance improvements as well as research initiatives aimed at protecting against animal diseases.

Border security funding totals $46.5 billion for infrastructure including wall construction; another $45 billion is allocated toward detaining illegal migrants with additional funds earmarked for surveillance technology upgrades at U.S. borders.

National security investments include modernizing nuclear weapons capabilities with $15 billion set aside for related infrastructure upgrades; $25 billion each will go toward munitions procurement/production expansion and missile defense shield development; plus $1 billion will be used by Department of Defense personnel supporting border operations.