Social Security
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| Senator Fischer supports cutting Social Security benefits by raising the retirement age. | Fischer Said Raising Retirement Age for Social Security Or Lowering Benefit Cap “Has to Be Discussed.” “Fischer also touched on social security and Medicare, saying the system isn’t sustainable as it is. Will it take raising the age of eligibility or lowering the benefit cap? ‘It has to be discussed. Anything’s on the table if it is a reasonable proposal. But all these things have to be debated. That’s the problem right now, nothing is being debated. If we truly want to work through these issues, that needs to happen. And I’m frustrated watching all this non-debate and all we hear are sound bites and scare tactics. I think that representatives should want to be in public service to find solutions to these problems.’” [York News Times, 8/17/11] |
| The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare gave her a ZERO rating. | Fischer Received Zero Rating from the National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare. In 2022, The National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare gave Fischer a ZERO rating. [National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, 2022 National Scorecard]
Fischer Voted Against Giving Social Security Beneficiaries Rebate Payment of $1,400 for Individuals or $2,800 for Married Couples. In 2021, Fischer voted against the “Americans Rescue Plan Act. (H.R. 1319) On passage of the bill: Made all U.S. residents with adjusted gross income (AGI) up to $75,000 ($112,000 married), including Social Security beneficiaries, eligible for rebate payment up to $1,400 for individuals or $2,800 for married couples. Preserved and restored the pensions of more than one million retirees and workers in an estimated 200-225 severely underfunded multiemployer pension plans. Appropriated additional funds for COVID-19 vaccinations, testing, and safer nursing home care. Included $12.6 billion in additional federal Medicaid payments for states to expand home and community-based services (HCBS). Provided $1.434 billion for Older Americans Act nutrition services, supportive services (to include COVID-19 vaccination outreach and transportation to vaccination sites) and activities to prevent and mitigate social isolation related to COVID-19, family caregiver services, disease prevention, grants for tribal organizations, and the long-term care ombudsman program. Senate Roll Call #110, March 6, 2021. Passed: 50-49. National Committee position: Yes.” [National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, 2022 National Scorecard] Fischer Voted Against Extending Funding for Government Operations, Including the Social Security Administration and Older Americans Act Programs. In 2021, Fischer voted against the “Fiscal Year 2022 Short-Term and Supplemental Appropriations. (H.R. 5305) On passage of the bill: Extended funding for government operations, including the Social Security Administration and Older Americans Act programs, through December 3, 2021. Suspended the limit on the nation’s debt through December 16, 2022 to prevent a government default and ensure that 65 million Americans continued to receive benefits through the Social Security program. Provided needed federal disaster relief funds. Senate Roll Call #397, September 30, 2021. Passed: 65–35. National Committee position: Yes.” [National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, 2022 National Scorecard] Fischer Voted Against Ensuring 65 Million Americans Continued to Receive Social Security Benefits. Continuing In 2021, Fischer voted against the “Debt Limit Increase. (S. 1301) On passage of the bill: Increased the debt limit by $480 billion which prevented a government default and ensured that 65 million Americans continued to receive benefits through the Social Security program. Senate Roll Call #412, October 7, 2021. Passed: 50–48. National Committee position: Yes.” [National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, 2022 National Scorecard] Fischer Voted Against Requiring HHS Secretary to Negotiate Drug Prices with Pharmaceutical Manufacturers on Behalf of Medicare. In 2022, Fischer voted against the “Inflation Reduction Act. (H.R. 5376) On passage of the bill: Requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services to negotiate prices for certain high-cost drugs with pharmaceutical manufacturers on behalf of Medicare. Requires pharmaceutical manufacturers to pay a rebate to the federal government for the amount by which drugs used under Medicare Parts B and D rise faster than inflation. Establishes a $2,000 per year beneficiary out-of-pocket cap on prescription drug spending under Medicare Part D. Senate Roll Call #325, August 7, 2022. Passed: 51-50. National Committee position: Yes.” [National Committee to Preserve Social Security and Medicare, 2022 National Scorecard] |
Crushing Healthcare Costs
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Nebraska Ranked 3rd Most Expensive State for Healthcare. According to Forbes, Nebraska is the third in a ranking of the most expensive state for healthcare with a score of 93.09 out of 100. According to Forbes, “Healthcare expenses are also high in the Cornhusker State. Nebraska residents face these key metrics:
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| Senator Fischer took over $110,000 from big pharma and sold out hardworking Nebraskans. | Fischer Received Over $780,000 from Health Sector. According to Open Secrets, throughout her federal career, Fischer has received $363,500 in contributions from Health sector PACs. She also received $418,100 from Health sector individuals. Her career total from the Health sector is $781,600. [Open Secrets, 2011-2024]
NOTE: Pharmaceutical companies, physicians and health professionals are the largest source of federal campaign contributions in this sector. |
| She voted against lowering prescription drug prices and capping the price of insulin. |
5,000 Family Farms
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| 5,000 Family Farms. That’s what we’ve lost since Deb Fischer went to Washington. | Between 2012 and 2022, Nebraska Lost 6,560 Farms Categorized as “Family or Individual.” In 2012, there were 42,543 farms labeled “Family or individual” (farms by legal status for tax purposes). In 2022, there were 35,983 farms labeled “Family or individual” (farms by legal status for tax purposes). [USDA, February 2024] |
| Big Ag PACs have given her more than $250,000 | Fischer Received $1.4 Million in Contributions from Agribusiness. According to Open Secrets, throughout her federal career, Fischer has received $794,142 in contributions from the Agribusiness sector PACs. She also received $629,503 from Agribusiness individuals. Her career total from the Agribusiness sector is $1,423,645. [Open Secrets, 2011-2024]
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| Deb Fischer has failed to protect small farmers while the big corporate agriculture companies have gotten richer. |