Deb Fischer facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Deb Fischer
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Official portrait, 2024
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| Ranking Member of the Senate Rules Committee | |
| In office January 3, 2023 – January 3, 2025 |
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| Preceded by | Roy Blunt |
| Succeeded by | Alex Padilla |
| United States Senator from Nebraska |
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| Assumed office January 3, 2013 Serving with Pete Ricketts
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| Preceded by | Ben Nelson |
| Member of the Nebraska Legislature from the 43rd district |
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| In office January 3, 2005 – January 3, 2013 |
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| Preceded by | Jim Jones |
| Succeeded by | Al Davis |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Debra Lynelle Strobel
March 1, 1951 Lincoln, Nebraska, U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Spouse |
Bruce Fischer
(m. 1972) |
| Children | 3 |
| Education | University of Nebraska, Lincoln (BS) |
| Website | |
Debra Lynelle Fischer (born March 1, 1951) is an American politician. She is a U.S. Senator for Nebraska. She has held this job since 2013.
Fischer is a member of the Republican Party. She is the third woman to represent Nebraska in the U.S. Senate. She is also the first to be reelected. Before becoming a senator, she worked as an educator.
From 1990 to 2004, Fischer was on the Valentine Rural High School Board of Education. In 2004, she was elected to the Nebraska Legislature. She served two terms there.
In 2012, Fischer ran for the U.S. Senate. Many people thought she would not win. But she won the Republican primary election. Then she won the main election against former U.S. Senator Bob Kerrey.
In 2015, she became Nebraska's senior U.S. Senator. This happened after Mike Johanns retired. Fischer has certain political views. She believes climate change is due to natural cycles. She also supports getting rid of the Affordable Care Act.
In 2021, she spoke out against people who attacked the U.S. Capitol. She voted to confirm the results of the 2020 presidential election.
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Early Life and Education
Debra Lynelle Strobel was born on March 1, 1951. Her hometown is Lincoln, Nebraska. Her father, Gerold Carl Strobel, was a State Engineer. Her mother, Florence M. Strobel, was an elementary school teacher.
In 1972, she married Bruce Fischer. She met him at the University of Nebraska–Lincoln. They raised three sons on their family cattle ranch. The ranch is located near Valentine, Nebraska. In 1987, she finished her college degree. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in education.
Public Service in Nebraska
School Board Member
In 1990, Fischer was elected to the Valentine Rural High School Board of Education. She served on this board until 2004. A school board helps make decisions for local schools.
From 2000 to 2004, she was also a Commissioner. This was for the Nebraska Coordinating Commission for Post-Secondary Education.
Nebraska State Legislature
In 2004, Fischer ran for a seat in the Nebraska Legislature. This is the state's law-making body. She represented the 43rd district. This district is in the Sandhills region.
She won her election in 2004. In 2008, she won reelection without anyone running against her. She could not run again in 2012 due to term limits. Term limits mean a person can only serve a certain number of times.
Her district was the largest in the Nebraska Legislature. It covered 12 counties. During her time there, she had a weekly radio show. She also wrote a weekly newspaper column.
In 2007, she helped lead a long debate against a bill. This bill wanted to ban smoking in indoor public places. The bill passed and became law in 2008.
She also led the Transportation and Telecommunications Committee. She helped pass the BUILD Nebraska Act. This law set aside money for roads and other projects.
U.S. Senate (2013–Present)
Senate Elections
2012 Election
In January 2012, Senator Ben Nelson announced he was retiring. Deb Fischer decided to run for his seat.
In the Republican primary election, she faced other candidates. Many thought she had little chance to win. But she won the primary with 40% of the votes.
In the main election, she ran against Bob Kerrey. He was a former Nebraska governor and U.S. Senator. Fischer won the election with 58% of the votes. She won by getting many votes in rural areas.
2018 Election
Fischer was reelected to the Senate in 2018. She won against Democratic candidate Jane Raybould.
2024 Election
Fischer ran for reelection again in 2024. She won the Republican primary election in May. In the November general election, she faced independent candidate Dan Osborn. Fischer won the election.
Senate Work
Fischer is the third woman to be a U.S. Senator from Nebraska. She is the first to be elected for a full term. The earlier women senators were appointed or won a special election for a short term.
She serves on several important Senate committees:
- Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and Forestry
- Committee on Armed Services
- Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation
- Committee on Rules and Administration
- Select Committee on Ethics
Political Views
Climate Change
Fischer believes the climate is changing. However, she thinks it is due to natural cycles. She does not agree with scientists who say human activities are the main cause.
Gun Access
In 2016, Fischer spoke about gun laws. She said that restricting gun access for people on a terrorist watchlist would not stop mass shootings. She believes preventing people from becoming extremists is more important.
Health Care
Fischer supports getting rid of the Affordable Care Act. This law is also known as Obamacare. She has voted to repeal it.
LGBTQ Rights
In 2020, Fischer supported a Supreme Court decision. This decision gave civil rights protections to gay, lesbian, and transgender workers. She said all Americans should have equal rights. However, she voted against a law that protects same-sex marriage.
2020 Presidential Election
Before January 6, 2021, Fischer said she would confirm the 2020 election results. She was at the U.S. Capitol when supporters of Donald Trump attacked it. She tweeted that the rioters had no right to harm law enforcement. She said the attack must end.
In May 2021, Fischer voted against creating a special group to investigate the Capitol attack. In January 2024, she supported Donald Trump's campaign for president.
Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023
Fischer was one of 31 Republican senators who voted against the Fiscal Responsibility Act of 2023. This law dealt with government spending.
Personal Life
Debra Fischer is married to Bruce Fischer. They run a family ranch called Sunny Slope Ranch. It is located near Valentine, Nebraska. Their children own most of the ranch's company shares. In 2020, Fischer and her husband moved to Lincoln, Nebraska.
Images for kids
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Fischer with Judge Brett Kavanaugh in July 2018
See also
In Spanish: Deb Fischer para niños
