“Mr. President, it’s time to do what’s right and save these communities.”
U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb) spoke on the Senate floor urging her colleagues to pass her legislation to transfer control of the Bureau of Reclamation (BoR) Swanson Reservoir land and the BoR Red Willow Reservoir land to local officials. The bill would make Hitchcock and Frontier Counties responsible for the management of the land.
In her remarks, Fischer emphasized the thousands of Nebraskans who petitioned for this legislation, and how the transfer of land would save Nebraska homes from being unnecessarily removed.
Senator Joe Manchin (I-WV), blocked the measure, despite his earlier support for it. In her rebuttal, Senator Fischer vowed to keep fighting and urged Senator Manchin to reconsider.
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Following is a transcript of Senator Fischer’s remarks as prepared for delivery:
M. President,
I come before you today to discuss a grave situation that’s unfolding in the southwestern part of my state.
Two Nebraska communities—one at Swanson Reservoir and the other at Red Willow—are at risk.
Over the past 50 years, the residents of these two communities have built friendships, started and supported businesses, and enjoyed the recreation that the local area offers.
But in just two months, these Nebraskans will be forced to leave. They’ll be forced out of their homes over a disagreement between the federal government and local stakeholders on how the land should be managed.
The good news is that there’s a simple solution to this problem.
Working with the rest of the Nebraska delegation as well as the Bureau of Reclamation, I’ve introduced legislation that benefits all parties. It transfers ownership of this land from the federal government to local officials.
I want to thank Congressman Adrian Smith especially for introducing companion legislation in the House.
Once the counties control the land around these reservoirs, the residents of Red Willow and Swanson can work with local authorities to chart a better path forward, one that preserves the communities and improves the recreation areas.
Since I introduced this bill, I’ve heard from over 1,000 Nebraskans about how urgently they need this land transferred. I’ve received numerous letters of support from local communities and businesses.
Everyone involved supports this bill.
The residents and their local government officials support this bill.
Our colleagues on both sides of the aisle have offered no objection to this bill.
Energy and Natural Resources Committee passed this bill on a voice vote.
We also worked with the Bureau of Reclamation on this solution.
Everyone agrees that my bill offers the best future for the hundreds of Nebraskans who call these areas home.
Mr. President, it’s time to do what’s right and save these communities.
Senator Fischer’s Rebuttal
M. President,
This really is outrageous.
My legislation cannot wait.
As I’ve said, it passed the Energy and Natural Resources Committee on a voice vote.
Last week, it passed the full House of Representatives unanimously.
This bill is different than the rest of the package that my colleagues are negotiating. Nebraskans are watching this bill. They are watching my bill. Because Nebraskans will be kicked off this land starting in February—two months from now—if it’s not signed into law.
I have been working with the Chair and his team for over a year on this legislation, incorporating feedback from them and continuously emphasizing the urgency with my legislation.
None of my colleagues are objecting to policy of the bill. They know it is the right thing to do. In fact, my colleague objecting has already voted in favor of this bill in committee.
Rather, objecting to this legislation is choosing to use these people, their homes at the reservoirs, and the small businesses as political leverage for unrelated matters.
I’ve heard from over a thousand constituents in support of this legislation. They know it will chart a better path forward for the local community and the federal government.
They did not ask to be used as political leverage, and I hope my colleague will reconsider his objection.
Otherwise, I will continue coming to the floor day after day this week and asking for unanimous consent.
Although M. President, I have been told by our cloakroom that there is no time available tomorrow for any action like this on the floor.
It needs to happen now.
Thank you, M. President. I yield the floor.