Sen. Deb Fischer stated she saw no compelling reason to support legislation that could have stopped the escalating trade crisis from turning into today’s trade war and Washington-manufactured trade crisis. Either Senator Fischer is blind to the problems Nebraska’s farming families face, or she’s unwilling to admit that her loyalties lie with her party bosses and not her constituents.
Senator Fischer voted with her party leaders against Senator Toomey’s bill, vote #123 on June 14th, that would have asserted the Senate’s authority and could have stopped the Washington-made trade war from turning into a Washington-made farm crisis.
Sen. Deb Fischer’s Record On Trade
Fischer On Toomey-Corker Bill That Would Give Congress Veto Power Over Tariff Decisions Made On Basis Of National Security: “I Haven’t Heard A Compelling Case.” “A few Senate Republicans are attempting to put some checks on the president through legislation that would give Congress veto power over tariff decisions made on the basis of national security. But their effort appears destined to fail, seemingly leaving Trump with free rein to undo U.S. trade relations around the world as he sees fit. […] But other Republicans showed little interest in the Toomey-Corker proposal. ‘I haven’t heard a compelling case,’ said Sen. Deb Fischer (R-Neb.). ‘The sponsors of the bill need to make that.’” [Washington Post, 6/11/18]
Unlike Fellow Nebraska Senator Ben Sasse, Fischer Hasn’t Cosponsored Corker’s Bill To Require Congressional Approval Before President Adjusts Imports That Are Determined To Threaten National Security. According to Congress.gov, Fischer has not cosponsored Senator Bob Corker’s legislation, S.3013, a bill to amend the Trade Expansion Act of 1962 to require Congressional approval before the President adjust imports that are determined to threaten to impair national security. Senator Ben Sasse is listed as a co-sponsor for this legislation. [Congress.gov, accessed 7/12/18]
Fischer Voted Against Plan That Would Have Given Congress Greater Oversight Over Deals Between Foreign And U.S. Firms That Could Affect National Security. “The Senate sided with the Trump administration Thursday to vote down a GOP plan that would have given Congress greater oversight over deals between foreign and U.S. firms that could affect national security. The legislation, pushed by Sen. Patrick J. Toomey (R-Pa.), failed to clear a procedural hurdle when the Senate blocked it with a 62-to-35 vote. Sixty ‘yes’ votes would have been required for the measure to advance. The vote was another instance of the Senate declining to assert authority over Trump administration decision-making on trade-related issues. […] Most Republican senators voted in favor of Toomey’s amendment, but 14 joined Democrats in voting “no”: Sens. John Boozman and Tom Cotton (Ark.), Richard Burr (N.C.), Deb Fischer (Neb.), Susan Collins (Maine), John Cornyn (Texas), Lindsey O. Graham (S.C.), John Hoeven (N.D.), Lisa Murkowski (Alaska), James E. Risch (Idaho), Pat Roberts (Kansas), Marco Rubio (Fla.), Steve Daines (Mont.) and Richard C. Shelby (Ala.).” [Washington Post, 6/14/18; Vote #123, S.Amdt. 2700 to S.Amdt. 2282 to H.R. 5515, 6/14/18]
January 2017: Nebraska Lost Its Voice On Senate Agriculture Committee, Making It The First Time In Half Century For Committee To Lack Nebraskan Representation. “The Senate Agriculture Committee lacks a Nebraskan for the first time in nearly half a century, even as the panel prepares to kick off hearings on a new farm bill. Sen. Ben Sasse, R-Neb., announced Tuesday that he will leave his seat on the panel in the new Congress and is also relinquishing his spot on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.” [Omaha World Herald, 1/4/17]
- January 2018: Fischer Joined Senate Agriculture Committee. “Today, U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) announced she is joining the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry Committee. ‘I’m excited to announce that I am now a member of the Senate Agriculture Committee. For over 40 years, I’ve worked with agriculture and rural development organizations across the state of Nebraska. Agriculture is the backbone of Nebraska’s economy and it’s a big part of my own life. As a state senator in the Nebraska Legislature and as a U.S. Senator, common-sense agriculture policy has been a top priority for me, and I am honored that I now have an opportunity to be more involved at the federal level.'” [Office of U.S. Senator Deb Fischer, 1/9/18]