ICYMI: Fischer Joins The Hugh Hewitt Show

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U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) joined The Hugh Hewitt Show to discuss the Senate's nominations rule change, the importance of passing the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA), and the continued effort to fund the government and pass individual appropriations bills.

On the Nominations Blockade:
Fischer:"You know, we're going to be taking those votes soon. We'll get it done this week. It's really ridiculous what the Democrats are doing. Some numbers that are out there: President Obama in his first 100 days, he had 292 nominees confirmed by voice vote. President Trump, he's had 135 nominees confirmed, but do you know how many by voice vote? Zero. That's going to change this week."

On Passing the NDAA:

Fischer: "Everyone knows this is the main responsibility of a federal government is to provide for our common defense. We've passed this bill for over 60 years. We had a strong vote out of committee, only one no vote by Elizabeth Warren, so it came out strong out of the committee. And now we have Chuck Schumer who, through all indications that I've seen so far, I doubt that he's going to get on it, but we'll see. John Thune, Leader Thune, is doing a good job; he's pressing Schumer. But you know the Democrats … they need to press their own leader. They need to talk to Senator Schumer and tell him to do his job. We need to get on that bill and provide for our men and women in the military. Give them the resources that they need."

On Providing Support for U.S. Nuclear Deterrence:
Fischer:"I think they're vital [B-21 Bombers] for deterrence and the safety of this country. We were able to see as a people in this country how important they are. You know, General Cotton, who is the Combatant Commander at STRATCOM, he has emphasized that he thinks we need 200 of the B-21s in order to be able to maintain the strength of this country, the strength of our deterrence. We don't want to have to use them, but we want to be able to have what we need to protect this country. So, I am a strong supporter, … Hugh, of our nuclear deterrent, of the triad, to make sure that we have what we need for our homeland, to protect it, but also as an umbrella for our allies.

On Funding the Government and Passing Individual Appropriations Bills:
Fischer: "You know, we're watching the House now working on a CR, short term CR, to get over here to the Senate, and we have already seen no indication that we're going to have any kind of [bipartisan] support and bipartisan work on not just passing the CR, but also to move ahead then on appropriations bills. I don't know why the Democrats put up with him [Chuck Schumer] as a Leader. You know, he didn't have one appropriations bill on the floor last year. And in committee, we passed out 11 of the 12 bills.

"And Hugh, I can tell you, in our leadership discussions, John Thune promised that he would take up on the floor the Senate appropriations bills if we got them out of committee. We've already passed three on the Floor: MILCON VA, Ag, and Leg Branch. And we have five more out of committee … And John Thune is a man of his word, and he's going to do it. You know, Chuck Schumer would talk about stuff, but he, to be blunt, he never had, I guess the wherewithal or the courage or the pressure from his members to put the appropriations bills on the floor. Let's be transparent. Let's be accountable to our voters and justify the votes that we take."