Sen. Deb Fischer praises Trump's cabinet picks and immigration policy

Nebraska Public Media reached out to elected officials from across the state for a series of interviews on topics important to their constituents. Those who represent the state had the opportunity to discuss a variety of topics during one-on-one interviews with reporters to share their opinions, experiences and how they’re working to represent Nebraskans.

The U.S. Senate is in the midst of hearings for President Donald Trump's cabinet nominees. Nebraska Sen. Deb Fischer said his nominees include a number of good people who are well-qualified for their roles.

"I think the President's done a good job of matching up people who, in some cases, are disruptors," she said. "That's why he chose them, and in many cases, that's why people voted for President Trump, because they knew he would come in and question things, be able to shake things up."

As of Thursday afternoon, the Senate has confirmed seven of Trump's cabinet nominees. They include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, Secretary of the Treasury Scott Bessent, Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth, Secretary of Transportation Sean Duffy, Secretary of Homeland Security Kristi Noem, EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin and CIA Director John Radcliffe. Fischer voted to confirm all seven.

Most cabinet members have been confirmed with unanimous Republican support and some Democratic votes in the GOP-majority Senate. Hegseth, the new Secretary of Defense, was confirmed by the thinnest of margins, with Vice President J.D. Vance casting the deciding vote to break a 50-50 tie. Fischer attended Hegseth's swearing in ceremony Saturday. She said he has a "deep commitment" to the military, highlighting his experience as a Princeton graduate and former military officer.

"He always talks about the war fighter and having the war fighter's back," she said. "And so I was happy that he was selected."

Fischer also spoke highly of Secretary of Agriculture nominee Brooke Rollins, who Fischer spoke with as a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry.

"She's been involved in a number of leadership positions in the past," Fischer said. "She's a rancher from Texas. She's been involved in the first Trump administration. If you watched her her nomination hearing, you could see her experience, her knowledge."

There are over 1,200 positions that have to be confirmed by the Senate.

Immigration

On Wednesday, President Donald Trump signed the Laken Riley Act, the first major legislation of his second term. The law passed with bipartisan support in the House and Senate, though a majority of Democrats voted against it.

The law requires the Department of Homeland Security to detain people unlawfully present in the U.S. if they commit certain crimes such as burglary or shoplifting.

It also includes an amendment from Sen. Joni Ernst known as "Sarah's Law," named after Sarah Root, who was killed in a car crash by a drunk driver in Omaha. The driver was an undocumented immigrant who was never detained.

The "Sarah's Law" amendment would require federal immigration officials to detain undocumented immigrants who commit crimes resulting in serious injuries or the death of a victim. Fischer said she's helped introduce the amendment during every Congress since 2016.

"To be able to rectify that through that bill being added to the Laken Riley bill, and to be able to have that pass, and it was the first bill that Congress has passed and sent to the President's desk, that sends a message to the people, not just of Nebraska, but to the people of this country," Fischer said.

The senator said the Trump administration is focusing on deporting violent criminals, but that anyone who is undocumented could be subject to deportation.

"If you're in this country illegally, I think you have to be aware that you can be detained, and you can be deported," she said.

Inauguration

As a member of the Joint Congressional Committee on Inaugural Ceremonies, Fischer also played a large role in Trump's inauguration. Fischer was selected for the JCCIC due to her role as a ranking member of the Rules Committee during the previous Congress.

Fischer introduced the president for his inaugural address and helped plan the day's festivities. She invited the University of Nebraska-Lincoln combined choir to perform during the inauguration ceremony. Nebraska beef was served at the inaugural luncheon Fischer hosted.

"It was just a great experience to be able to put something like that together, and also, really to highlight Nebraska," she said.

In the 119th Congress, Fischer will continue serving on the same six Senate committees as the previous Congress. They include committees on armed services, appropriations, commerce, agriculture, rules and ethics. Republican Whip Wyoming Sen. John Barrasso also appointed Fischer as a deputy whip for the GOP.