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Fischer Secures Key Nebraska Priorities in Government Funding Bill

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U.S. Senator Deb Fischer (R-Neb.) released the following statement announcing that numerous Nebraska priorities she championed were included in the six FY2024 government funding bills that passed the Senate today:

“This package includes several top priorities for our state — including funding towards the construction of a new Agricultural Research Service facility at UNL, an expansion of the Heartland Expressway, and increased funding for Offutt Air Force Base and for airports across Nebraska. The investments we make today will ensure that Nebraska is well positioned to seize the opportunities ahead. As a member of the Appropriations Committee, I will continue to push for the critical, high-impact investments that will support families and business across our state,” said Senator Fischer.

On Friday, the U.S. Senate approved a funding package that focuses on funding the departments of Agriculture, Interior, Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, Veterans Affairs, Justice, Commerce, and Energy through this fall.

Following are Fischer–backed projects that were included in the package:

Agriculture, Rural Development, FDA, and Related Agencies:

    • $25 million for the University of Nebraska (ARS Facility) — Funds the construction of a U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) Agricultural Research Service (ARS) facility at the University of Nebraska for precision ag research.

Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies:

    • $4 million for the Metropolitan Utilities District to assist in ongoing efforts to replace lead service lines.
    • $10 million for the Cedar Knox Rural Water Project to assist the county with establishing a secure, alternative drinking water source, constructing a treatment plant, and completing essential distribution system upgrades.
    • $200,000 for the Village of Platte Center for wastewater infrastructure, specifically collection system improvements and repairs.
    • $2.4 million for the City of Lexington to develop a new biosolids dewatering facility and sludge drying beds.
    • $1.5 million for the City of York to help upgrade and rehabilitate existing wastewater treatment plant and collection system.
    • $720,000 for the Village of Staplehurst to replace the 100-year-old water tower.
    • $480,000 for the City of Henderson to construct and rehabilitate sanitary sewer facilities.
    • $360,000 for Village of Denton to replace lead service lines and make additional repairs/upgrades.
    • $320,000 for the Village of Alda for the rehabilitation of two lift stations.
    • $176,000 for the City of Hebron to replace an existing well and refurbish the existing water tower.
    • $148,000 for the City of Cambridge to rehabilitate an existing wastewater treatment plan.
    • $80,000 for the Village of Taylor for a sewer collection system project.
    • $72,000 for the Village of Malcolm to replace water meters.

Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies:

    • $12.87 million for Minatare, Scottsbluff, and Morrill Counties to expand the Heartland Expressway to four lanes.
    • $8.5 million for Jefferson County for roadway improvements.
    • $7 million for Eppley Airfield to provide a new customs inspection facility to allow security screening operations for international aircraft and passenger travel.
    • $7 million for the North Platte Airport for the construction of a new passenger terminal.
    • $6.57 million for Ogallala Airport for reconstruction of pavement and replacement of lighting and visual approach aids.
    • $4.95 million for Kearney Regional Airport to rehabilitate apron for terminal building and general aviation access.
    • $3.5 million for Western Nebraska Regional Airport to expand and extend the taxiway.
    • $3.15 million for the Hall Country Airport Authority to build a new snow removal building.
    • $2.85 million for the Beatrice Municipal Airport to expand hangar space to attract new business.
    • $1.4 million for the City of Chadron to purchase a new ladder fire truck.

Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies:

    • $7 million for a new Vehicle Search Area at Offutt Air Force Base — Funds new vehicle search facilities, vehicle control, and pavement which will allow for a more efficient sorting lane and provide adequate stacking distance for waiting vehicles.
    • $5 million to design a new DPAA lab at Offutt Air Force Base — Provides funding to plan and design a new, state-of-the-art Defense POW/MIA Accountability Agency (DPAA) laboratory.
    • $3.5 million to design a new Maintenance/Warehouse at Offutt Air Force Base for the 55th Wing’s Civil Engineering Squadron (CES).
    • $3 million to design a new Base Operations/Mobility Center at Offutt Air Force Base.
    • $2.7 million to design a new LRS/Transportation Facility.
    • $1.44 million for the Nebraska National Guard to complete the construction of barracks at Mead Training Site.
    • $9.09 million to complete the National Guard Readiness Center in Bellevue, NE.
    • $1.2 million to complete design of the Collective Training Unaccompanied Housing Open Bay at the Greenlief Training Site, NE.
    • $400,000 to complete a National Guard Vehicle Maintenance Ship in North Platte, NE.
    • $41 million for a microgrid and backup power at Offutt Air Force Base.

Commerce, Justice, Science, and Related Agencies:

    • $4 million for the Omaha Police Department (Equipment Modernization) — Modernize OPD air support and bomb response capabilities.

Energy and Water Development and Related Agencies:

    • Provides $70 million for the development of the nuclear-armed sea-launched cruise missile (SLCM) warhead program. The Biden administration has tried to cancel this program and did not include any funding for SLCM in its FY24 budget request.
    • $400,000 for the Papio Natural Resources District (Papillion Creek Watershed Projects DS7 and DS12) — Complete projects to provide flood risk reduction.
    • $200,000 for the Papio Natural Resources District (Offutt Ditch Pump Station) — Collect stormwater around Offutt AFB and pump into Missouri River.
    • $200,000 for the Nebraska Department of Natural Resources to conduct a feasibility study in the Lower Missouri River basin near the Cooper Nuclear Station.