Issue Position: Defense
Issue Position
As the Ranking Member of the Senate Armed Services Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee, I am committed to meeting my constitutional duty to protect and defend the United States.
I support full funding for critical defense priorities to maintain a 21st century fighting force that is the best equipped and most capable in the world. It is equally important to uphold America's promises to active duty service members and veterans, those who have risked life and limb in defense of our nation. Keeping faith with these brave Americans is more than our responsibility -- it is our honor to do so.
Senator Fischer's accomplishments in defense and national security include:
Challenged President Obama's Plan for Drastic Nuclear Reductions: Senator Fischer expressed serious concerns on the Senate floor in reducing the U.S. nuclear deterrent by more than one third. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x-TxVoo23c0&
Pushed for Full Scale Sanctions on Iran: On March 5, 2013, Senator Fischer cosponsored S.Res.65 -- a resolution introduced by Senator Graham supporting Israel and urging the President to implement the full scale of U.S. sanctions on Iran.
Worked to Modernize STRATCOM: Senator Fischer ensured that the national defense policy bill contained needed funding for the construction of the new headquarters facility at U.S. Strategic Command. (Senate Amendment 31 to H.R. 933)
Cosponsored the Iran Sanctions Loophole Elimination Act: Senator Fischer cosponsored legislation that would require the president to impose sanctions on any foreign bank that assists Iranian institutions and companies in conducting financial transactions.
Introduced legislation to Address Sexual Assault Prevention within the Military: Senator Fischer and Senator Jeanne Shaheen (D-N.H.) introduced a bipartisan bill, S.992, which would require the Department of Defense to use a "nominative selection process" for filling positions in the services sexual assault prevention and response (SAPR) offices. This legislation was adopted in the form of an amendment to the national defense policy bill for FY 2014.
The Senate Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces unanimously accepted three amendments offered by Senator Fischer at its markup of the National Defense Authorization Act for FY2014.
Fischer #035, ICBM Readiness: Affirms the Secretary of Defense's authority to retain missile silos in "warm" status and requires a report assessing the feasibility and advisability of doing so.
Fischer #036, B-52 Common Configuration: Reaffirms the current law requiring the Administration report its plans to reduce nuclear force structure in order to comply with the New START treaty prior to implementing any actual reductions.
Fischer #037, Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent: Expresses the Committee's expectation that the Air Force complete its studies on the follow on ICBM system (known as the Ground-Based Strategic Deterrent, or GBSD) by the end of 2014. The amendment also requires the Air Force to provide Congress a briefing on its current progress.
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