Nebraska

State Senators:

Deb Fisher (R)

Term Start: January 3, 2013

Full Name: Debra Lynelle Strobel Fischer
Date of Birth: March 1, 1951
Birthplace: Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S.

Early Life and Education: Deb Fischer was born in Lincoln, Nebraska, and raised on her family’s ranch in Cherry County. She graduated from Valentine Rural High School in 1970. Fischer earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Education from the University of Nebraska–Lincoln in 1988.

Personal Life: Deb Fischer is married to Bruce Fischer, and they have three sons and several grandchildren. The family resides in Valentine, Nebraska. Fischer continues to be actively involved in her family’s ranching business and is known for her commitment to public service and representing the interests of her constituents in Nebraska.

Early Career: Before entering politics, Fischer worked alongside her husband, Bruce Fischer, on their family ranch. The ranching lifestyle and managing their small business gave her a strong understanding of agricultural and rural issues, which would later influence her political career

Political Career:

Nebraska Legislature: Elected in 2004, served until 2013. Represented the 43rd Legislative District, the largest geographical district in the Nebraska Legislature. Chaired the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee and was a member of the Revenue Committee, Natural Resources Committee, and Executive Board. During her tenure, she focused on infrastructure development, education, and tax reform. She played a key role in passing legislation related to transportation and road improvements.
U.S. Senate: Elected in 2012, re-elected in 2018, currently serving her second term. First woman from Nebraska to be elected to a full term in the U.S. Senate. As a senator, she has focused on issues such as national defense, agriculture, and transportation infrastructure. She is known for her pragmatic approach and ability to work across party lines to achieve legislative goals.

Committee Assignments:

Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
Committee on Appropriations
Committee on Armed Services
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation
Committee on Rules and Administration (Ranking)
Joint Committee on Printing
Joint Committee on the Library
Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies – 2024
Select Committee on Ethics

Legislative Achievements:

Defense and National Security: As a senior member of the Senate Armed Services Committee and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces, Fischer focuses on issues related to the nuclear arsenal, missile defense, and cybersecurity. She emphasizes robust national defense and support for the military.
Infrastructure: Advocates for modernizing the nation’s infrastructure. Authored the Build Nebraska Act, which funded state road construction without raising taxes. Continues to work on improving roads, bridges, and expanding broadband access.
Agriculture: Leverages her experience as a rancher to support agricultural policies. Works to cut regulations affecting farmers and ranchers and open up new trade opportunities. Active in crafting the Farm Bill to ensure crop insurance and other support for agriculture.
Fiscal Responsibility: Focuses on reducing government spending and regulatory reform. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, she aims to ensure federal spending aligns with conservative fiscal principles.

Senator Fischer is known for her conservative approach to fiscal policy, strong advocacy for national defense, and support for agricultural and infrastructure development. Her background as a rancher and state legislator informs her work in the Senate, where she focuses on practical solutions to benefit Nebraska and the nation.

Committees

Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry: Committee deals with agricultural economics, research, production, and forestry.

Appropriations: Committee members manage and oversee the federal budget to ensure government funds are allocated and spent properly.

Armed Services: Oversees military operations, defense policies, and the Department of Defense, including the Army, Navy, and Air Force.

Commerce, Science, and Transportation: Committee plays a vital role in shaping policies that impact economic development, technological innovation, transportation systems, and scientific advancements within a country or region.

Rules and Administration: Committee ensures that the Senate functions smoothly and efficiently by overseeing its rules, administration, elections, and public access.

Joint Committee on Printing (JPC): Committee oversees the functions related to printing and the dissemination of government publications. The JCP is composed of members from both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and it plays a role in managing and overseeing the federal government’s printing needs and information dissemination practices.

Joint Committee on the Library: Committee oversees various functions and operations related to the Library of Congress, the principal research arm of the legislative branch.

Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies – 2024 (JCCIC): Committee oversees the planning and execution of all presidential inauguration events. The JCCIC is comprised of members from both the House of Representatives and the Senate, and it collaborates with various federal, state, and local agencies to organize the inauguration.

Select Committee on Ethics: Committee plays a role in maintaining the integrity of the Senate by ensuring that all members and staff adhere to the highest ethical standards. It operates with a bipartisan approach to uphold the ethical principles and accountability of the legislative body.

Voting patterns

Senator Fischer has a voting record that reflects her conservative principles, especially on issues related to national defense, economic policy, and environmental regulations.

Key Voting Patterns:

National Security and Defense: Fischer supports robust national defense measures, as indicated by her votes for the “National Defense Authorization Act” (H.R.2670) and other defense-related bills.
Healthcare and Reproductive Rights: Fischer has consistently opposed expanding reproductive rights. She voted against the “Right to Contraception Act” (S.4381) and the “Right to IVF Act” (S.4445), reflecting her pro-life stance.
Economic Policies: Fischer supports reducing regulatory burdens on businesses. She voted for resolutions disapproving certain rules from the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Department of the Treasury, favoring less federal oversight.
Environmental Issues: Fischer has a low score from environmental groups, such as the League of Conservation Voters, due to her opposition to stringent environmental regulations. She voted for bills that disapprove of certain EPA rules, which would limit environmental protections.
Labor and Employment: Fischer has supported legislation limiting the power of labor unions and reducing regulatory burdens on employers. She voted for H.J.Res.98, disapproving a rule by the National Labor Relations Board regarding joint employer status.

Senator Deb Fischer’s voting record reflects her commitment to conservative principles, emphasizing fiscal responsibility, limited government intervention in healthcare, a strong national defense, and traditional social values. Her stance on environmental issues prioritizes economic growth and energy independence.

Full Name: John Peter Ricketts
Date of Birth: August 19, 1964
Birthplace: Nebraska City, Nebraska, U.S.

Early Life and Education: Pete Ricketts was born in Nebraska City and raised in Omaha. He attended Westside High School in Omaha and went on to earn a Bachelor of Arts in Biology from the University of Chicago in 1986. Ricketts then completed a Master of Business Administration from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 1991.

Personal Life: Pete Ricketts is married to Susanne Shore, and they have three children. The family resides in Omaha, Nebraska. Ricketts is known for his commitment to public service and his efforts to advance conservative principles through his political career

Early Career: Ricketts began his career in business, working in various roles within his family’s company, TD Ameritrade, an online brokerage firm founded by his father, Joe Ricketts. He served in various executive positions at the company, contributing to its growth and success

Pete Rickets (R)

Term Start: January 3, 2023

Political Career:

Governor of Nebraska: Elected in 2014 and re-elected in 2018, served from 2015 to 2023. During his tenure, he focused on tax relief, reducing government spending, and improving state services.
U.S. Senate: In 2023, Ricketts was appointed to the U.S. Senate by Nebraska Governor Jim Pillen to fill the seat vacated by Senator Ben Sasse. As a senator, Ricketts continues to focus on economic policies, agriculture, and conservative social values. He is known for his strong stance on fiscal conservatism and support for rural communities, He will serve until the special election in November 2024.

Committee Assignments:

Committee on Environment and Public Works
Committee on Foreign Relations
Special Committee on Aging

Legislative Achievements:

Economic Policy: As governor, delivered over $12.7 billion in tax relief and cut the growth of state spending by half. Ricketts also eliminated state taxes on veterans’ retirement income and Social Security benefits.
Energy and Environment: Advocates for energy independence and has supported policies to reduce regulatory burdens on energy production.
Agriculture: Focuses on expanding international markets for Nebraska’s agricultural products and supports trade partnerships that benefit farmers and ranchers.
National Security: Prioritizes strengthening national defense and has taken a firm stance against the Chinese Communist Party.

Senator Ricketts is known for his conservative approach to governance, focusing on tax relief, reducing government spending, and enhancing state services. His business background and experience as governor of Nebraska shape his legislative priorities in the U.S. Senate, where he continues to advocate for energy independence, agricultural growth, and national security.

Committees

Environment and Public Works: Committee plays a critical role in shaping federal environmental policy and public works projects, conducting hearings, and reviewing legislation related to these areas. It aims to balance environmental protection with economic development and infrastructure needs.

Foreign Relations: Committee plays a crucial role in shaping U.S. foreign policy, providing a check on the executive branch’s conduct of international relations, and ensuring that America’s global engagements reflect the values and interests of its citizens.

Special Committee on Aging: Committee aims to improve the well-being, health, and financial security of older Americans.

Voting patterns

Senator Ricketts has voting patterns that reflect his conservative views on various issues:

Key Voting Patterns:

National Security and Defense: Ricketts supports strong national defense policies. He has voted for the “National Defense Authorization Act” and other defense-related measures to ensure robust funding for the military.
Healthcare and Reproductive Rights: Ricketts opposes expanding reproductive rights. He voted against the “Right to Contraception Act” and the “Right to IVF Act,” reflecting his conservative stance on these issues.
Economic Policies: He favors reducing regulatory burdens on businesses and has supported resolutions disapproving certain rules from the Securities and Exchange Commission and the Department of the Treasury, indicating his preference for less federal oversight.
Environmental Issues: Ricketts has a low score from environmental groups due to his opposition to stringent environmental regulations. He has voted in favor of bills that disapprove of certain EPA rules, such as those blocking energy conservation standards for consumer furnaces.
Labor and Employment: Ricketts supports limiting the power of labor unions and reducing regulatory burdens on employers. He voted for H.J.Res.98, disapproving a rule by the National Labor Relations Board regarding joint employer status.

In summary, Senator Ricketts supports conservative policies focused on reducing taxes and limiting government spending, consistently voting for measures that stimulate economic growth through tax relief and deregulation. He opposes the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and favors market-based healthcare reforms aimed at increasing competition and reducing costs. As a strong advocate for national defense, Ricketts supports robust funding for the military and cybersecurity measures while addressing threats from China. Environmentally, he often opposes stringent regulations, promoting energy independence and economic growth through domestic energy development. On social issues, Ricketts upholds conservative views, supporting gun rights, opposing abortion, and advocating for strong border security.