By U.S. Senator Deb Fischer
**Click here to download audio of this week’s column**
2024 has been a contentious year in Washington, with its fair share of fights and drama. And while those fights get media attention, there are plenty of positive stories that don’t make headlines.
I’d like to share some of those stories with you as we head into the Thanksgiving season, because this year, I’m most thankful for the opportunity to help Nebraskans, whether through casework or legislation.
Each year, my staff speaks with hundreds of Nebraskans facing roadblocks in the federal government. Our office does everything we can to solve problems, and I have wonderful staff who help me get things done for my fellow citizens.
For example, a veteran we will call John reached out to my office this year. John was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer, but he was still struggling to get his claim processed with the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA). John asked if we could help.
My staff worked with a county veteran service officer and a VA office to find out why John’s claim wasn’t being processed. Our inquiry highlighted the urgency of John’s case, causing them to expedite John’s exam so he and his family could receive the benefits they needed. After our inquiry, John and his family received almost $70,000 in backpay, along with several other veteran benefits. Now, John has the benefits he earned through his years of serving our country.
But it isn’t just individual Nebraskans who need assistance with the federal government. This year, my office helped Nebraska’s Winnebago Tribe reclaim 1,600 acres of land that was wrongfully taken from them.
In 1970, the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers unlawfully condemned land belonging to the Winnebago Tribe. For 50 years, the Tribe has gone to the courts to try and restore the land to their reservation. Last year, members of the Winnebago Tribe contacted my office. While no one opposed the Tribe reclaiming their land, they needed action on the federal level to officially restore it. I introduced the Winnebago Land Transfer Act last November to make that happen, and this June, the Senate unanimously passed my bill. In July, the president signed the legislation into law, righting a decades-old wrong for the Winnebago Tribe.
The residents of Swanson and Red Willow Reservoir communities have also faced problems with federal control of land.
Currently, Nebraskans living in these communities are in danger of losing their homes as a result of land restrictions. But after working with them for several years, my office—along with the rest of our federal delegation—has introduced legislation to return control of this land to the county level. I’ve heard from over 1,000 Nebraskans on this issue, and I’m urging my colleagues in Congress to support it.
I’m optimistic that our bill will pass, especially because a Senate committee unanimously approved it just this week.
This year, I’m thankful for the opportunity to continue to make a difference in the lives of individuals and communities in Nebraska. It’s not something I take for granted, and I’m honored by the opportunity to keep doing this work for another six years.
I wish each of you a very Happy Thanksgiving. May you be reminded of the many blessings in your lives, and may you enjoy a special day surrounded by loved ones.
Thank you for participating in the democratic process. I look forward to visiting with you again next week.