Green Bay Reporter

Issued the following announcement.

Another week in the books! Here’s what you need to know from this week:

Democrats’ Colossal Spending Measures 

This week, the Democrats held a vote on three colossal appropriations measures. An appropriation bill, in short, is what funds our entire federal government, all the way from park rangers who keep our national parks safe to the to the men and women in uniform who serve our country. These bills are important, but the Democrats have abused their power in the majority to craft colossal spending proposals that Americans cannot afford.

I voted against all three of these irresponsible measures. Here’s why:

The first package, H.R. 4502, contains seven appropriations bills, totaling nearly $600 billion in discretionary spending. This is $102.5 billion more than last year - a 21% increase. H.R. 4502 reverses pro-life policies, weakens immigration law, and adds burdensome regulations and policies to the Big Government arsenal.

H.R. 4346, the FY22 Legislative Branch Appropriations Bill, totals $4.9 billion. This is $581 million more than last year - a nearly 13% increase. In this bill, House Democrats prioritize their own paychecks instead of funding the paychecks of our servicemembers in the armed forces.

H.R. 4373, the FY22 State and Foreign Operations Appropriations Bill, totals $62.2 billion. This is $1.36 billion more than last year - a 12% increase. This bill drops or weakens longstanding pro-life language and includes full funding for, and no reforms of, the World Health Organization, despite its complicity in helping China cover-up the origins of COVID-19.

These spending measures show just how out of touch Speaker Nancy Pelosi and Democrats are with everyday Americans. Instead of working in a bipartisan fashion to craft these critically important bills, Pelosi chose the path of partisanship which will only delay funding in the long run.

Requested an Audit of State Unemployment Program

In May, I requested for Governor Tony Evers to end the additional benefits provided through the Federal Pandemic Unemployment Compensation program to get Wisconsinites back to work and amidst reports that suggested up to $400 billion of these funds may have been stolen.

Governor Evers never responded to our letter and has since vetoed attempts by the state legislature to end the $300 weekly ‘stay-at-home’ bonus. Due to the reports of fraud, and Governor Evers decision to continue payments, I joined the Wisconsin Republican Delegation in requesting the Department of Labor to review Wisconsin’s unemployment insurance program.

We must determine the extent of any waste, fraud, and abuse. Wisconsinites deserve answers. In the letter we write:

“Amidst the increased flow of federal dollars, your office has consistently warned states and highlighted instances of increased fraud that will likely reach into the hundreds of billions of dollars. A recent article highlights the online criminal ecosystem that has emerged to coach bad actors on how to better defraud state unemployment systems. This is a trend we do not want to see continue.

“Unfortunately, we have not received any information from Wisconsin officials on how they plan to protect these federal dollars that will almost certainly continue to flow to Wisconsin until they expire on September 6, 2021. So, we ask you to review this program in Wisconsin and other states across the country to determine the extent of any waste, fraud, and abuse. After more than a year of unprecedented federal spending, it is time we begin a full accounting of where federal funds have gone.”

UPDATE: USDA Disaster Aid

Last month, I reported that the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) designated Waukesha, Milwaukee, and Jefferson counties as contiguous disaster areas due to drought declarations in Racine, Kenosha, and Walworth.

I sent a letter to USDA Secretary Vilsack requesting that Washington and Dodge counties be added to this designation, and I am encouraged to announce that Washington County has been added.

Farm operators in Waukesha, Milwaukee, Jefferson, and Washington counties may be eligible for USDA assistance. I encourage farmers to contact their local FSA office and to read more here to learn about the programs and benefits available.

I hope the Secretary takes a closer look at how drought conditions have impacted the entire Fifth Congressional District and add Dodge County to this disaster designation as farm operators in this county need help too.

  Washington DC Office

1507 Longworth House Office Building

Washington, DC 20515

Phone: (202) 225-5101 Brookfield District Office

120 Bishop Way #154

Brookfield, WI 53005

Phone: (262) 784-1111