Fischer Votes For Funding Package to Reopen Government

Package includes key funding provisions for Nebraska secured by Fischer

WASHINGTON - Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-NE) voted for a funding package that would reopen the federal government and allocate $72 million for community projects she secured for Nebraska. The legislative package - which passed the Senate by a vote of 60-40 - includes the Fiscal Year (FY) 2026 Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies (MilCon-VA) Appropriations Act; Agriculture, Rural Development,Food and Drug Administration (FDA), and Related Agencies Appropriations Act; and the Legislative Branch and Related Agencies Appropriations Act. It also continues current funding levels for the remaining federal agencies through January 30, 2026.

"After voting 16 times to reopen the federal government, I am encouraged that Senate Democrats have finally come to the table. This package delivers results I secured for Nebraska - including crucial funding that will benefit the Omaha VA and over $54 million for mission critical programs at Offutt Air Force Base. It also directs an additional $16 million for UNL's ARS center, which follows a total investment of over $56 million I've helped secure over the last five fiscal years. While t his legislation is an important step forward, we still need the House to take up and pass this package swiftly so we can reopen the government and get back to work for the American people," Fischer said.
Provisions advanced by Fischer in the MilCon-VA Appropriations Act to support our veterans:

• Secures nearly $1.4 billion for the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA)'s major construction account that will provide future funding for the Omaha VA hospital project;
• Directs the VA to purchase essential medical devices, such as needles, syringes, and blood collection products from U.S. manufacturers or allied trading partners. Also, directs the VA to submit a report on ways to reduce dependency on Chinese medical devices while safeguarding against shortages; and
• Directs the VA to report on the success of the External Provider Scheduling (EPS) program while identifying barriers to increased implementation and creating recommendations on how to increase community provider participation.

Funding advanced by Fischer in the MilCon-VA Appropriations Act to support next generation of 'doomsday' planes, critical investments at Offutt Air Force Base:

• $42.3 million to plan and design the new Survivable Airborne Operations Center (SAOC) at Offutt;
• $6 million to plan and design a Consolidated Training Complex/Professional Development Center at Offutt; and
• $6 million to plan and design a new dormitory at Offutt.

Funding advanced by Fischer in the Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act:

• $16 million for the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) facility at the University of Nebraska-Lincoln's (UNL) Innovation Campus; and
• $1.5 million for the National Drought Mitigation Center at UNL.

Provisions advanced by Fischer in the Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act:

• Prioritizing ARS research for the beef industry at the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center (USMARC) in Clay Center, Nebraska; and
• Requiring the USDA to streamline contracting and procurement services for livestock research facilities to help USMARC with cost overruns on facility improvements.

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