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Floor Speech
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Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, I come before you today to discuss a grave situation that is 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, residents of these two communities have built friendships. They have started and supported businesses, and they have enjoyed the recreation that the local area offers. But in just 2 months, these Nebraskans will be forced to leave. They will 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, there is a simple solution to this problem. In working with the rest of the Nebraska delegation as well as the Bureau of Reclamation, I have introduced legislation that benefits all parties. It transfers the 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 one that also improves the recreation areas.
Since I introduced this bill, I have heard from over 1,000 Nebraskans about how urgently they need this land transferred. I have received numerous letters of support from local communities and businesses. Everyone--everyone--involved supports this bill. The residents and their local government officials support this bill. The Committee on Energy and Natural Resources passed this bill on a voice vote. We also worked with the Bureau of Reclamation on this solution. Everyone--everyone--agrees that my bill offers the best future for the hundreds of Nebraskans who call these areas home. It is time to do what is right and to save these communities.
I yield to the Senator from Hawaii.
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Mrs. FISCHER. 8413 and H.R. 8219, which were received from the House. I further ask that the bills be considered read the third time and passed and that the motions to reconsider be considered made and laid upon the table.
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Mrs. FISCHER. Madam President, this really is outrageous. My legislation cannot wait. As I have said, it passed the Committee on Energy and Natural Resources on a voice vote. Last week, it passed the full House of Representatives unanimously.
The bill is different from 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 their land starting in February--2 months from now--if it is not signed into law.
I have been working with the chair. I have been working with his team for over a year--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 in this bill. They know it is the right thing to do. In fact, my colleague objecting has already voted in favor of the bill in committee. Rather, objecting to this legislation is choosing to use these people, their homes, and these reservoirs and the small businesses as political leverage for unrelated matters.
I have heard from over 1,000 constituents who are in support of this legislation. They know that it will chart a better path forward for that local community and the Federal Government. They did not ask to be used as political leverage.
I hope my colleague will reconsider his objection. Otherwise, I will continue coming to this floor, day after day this week, asking for unanimous consent; although, 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.
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