United States Senator Deb Fischer’s Weekly Column
April 12th marks an important date for Congress. It marks the 100th day of our new Congress and a moment for us to assess our work and accomplishments so far for the American people.
In this brief period, we’ve already accomplished so much. The Senate has been in session around the clock, working in Washington for the longest stretch in 15 years, while also overseeing the quickest confirmation process for nominees in two decades.
Over the past couple of months, we’ve been especially busy crafting a budget to start a process called ‘reconciliation’, which will help us enact our agenda to keep taxes low, unleash American energy, support our military, and secure the border.
The reconciliation process can be complicated, but I believe it’s important to convey what Congress is working on, beyond the confusing headlines we see online.
The reconciliation process consists of negotiations between the Senate and House to reach a compromise on federal spending and policies. It begins with a budget resolution, a bare bones blueprint that sets planned spending and revenue for the government.
This resolution, which has been passed by both chambers of Congress, is then sent to Congressional committees in the Senate and House with instructions to those committees to write legislation.
Each committee will then send these bills to the Budget Committee, who is charged with compiling them all into one ‘reconciliation’ bill. This can include funding to secure the border, extend tax cuts, open up American energy production, and more.
If the Senate and House pass different versions, the bill must be “reconciled” between both chambers, to ensure one cohesive bill is sent to the President’s desk.
Over the past couple of months, there has been inaccurate information about what the budget resolution entails. Some of my Democratic colleagues claim Republicans are using this budget resolution to scrap vital federal programs like Social Security and Medicare. These claims are simply untrue. For example, even if Congress wished to alter Social Security, there is a rule in place that would prevent us from doing so. This is what’s known as the ‘Byrd Rule’, which does not allow for any modifications to Social Security in the reconciliation process.
Senate Republicans have reaffirmed we have no intention of eliminating vital programs Americans depend upon such as Medicare and Medicaid. President Trump has also reiterated that he would not sign any bill that did so. I agree with the President and my colleagues, and I understand how essential federal programs, like Social Security and Medicare, are for our Nebraska communities.
If my colleagues spent less time fearmongering and more time working with us to strengthen programs and root out waste, fraud, and abuse – we would have more efficient federal programs that benefit the American people.
As we begin the process of developing one final reconciliation bill, one of my top priorities will include getting my Paid Family and Medical Leave Tax Credit Extension and Enhancement Act over the finish line.
In 2017, Senator Angus King (D-Maine) and I secured this bill in the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act, and it represented the first, and to this day, the only federal paid family leave law in American history. This credit gives tax relief to employers who voluntarily offer paid leave to their employees. There is no mandate to do so. But the credit is expiring this year, which is why my bill to make it permanent must be included in the final reconciliation bill.
You have my commitment to working on and advancing policies that will protect Americans, help small businesses, and keep our country safe. I look forward to continuing to work through the budget reconciliation process to accomplish these goals.
Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.
