After 43 long and painful days for the American people, I was proud to join my House Republican colleagues on Wednesday to put an end to the Democrats’ shutdown, which was the longest in American history. This vote ensures our service members and federal workers finally get paid, and that we resume critical services for our farmers and struggling American families.
Despite constant attempts by Democrats, including Senator Baldwin, to stand in the way and prolong the suffering of Americans, House Republicans got the job done. Sadly, only six of my House Democrat colleagues voted with us to open the government. Let that sink in.
This national nightmare of the Democrats’ own making was completely avoidable from the start. They could have voted with us to pass the clean CR back in September and spared Americans from needless suffering.
Instead, they chose to appeal to their far-left base and stage a fight against President Trump. In the end, they lost that battle, but it was the American people who paid the price. Servicemembers, federal workers, farmers, struggling families, and small businesses should never be punished because politicians in Washington want to play games and hold our government hostage.
Now that this is finally over, we can get back to doing what the American people elected us to do: lower costs, keep our border secure, and fight for hardworking families.
This week also marks one year since I was sworn into office, and representing Wisconsin’s 8th District has truly been the honor of a lifetime. In my time in Washington, I’ve seen how some put politics ahead of the people they serve, but I want you to know, I will always fight for you first and foremost.
No matter how many political games others want to play, I will always remain focused on representing you and fighting for hardworking Northeast Wisconsin families. I look forward to getting back to work in Washington next week so I can continue to do just that.
Thanks again for starting off your weekend with us! We hope you enjoy this week’s edition of the Wied Wire.
Click here to watch my interview with Newsmax on putting an end to the Democrats Shutdown.
In the Wieds
Farmers Over Furloughs
This week, I was proud to introduce the Bringing Assistance to Rural Needs during Shutdowns (BARNS) Act along with six of my bipartisan colleagues. As I said earlier, the Democrats inflicted pain through the longest shutdown in American history. One of the groups hurt most by this cruelty was our farmers – right in the middle of harvest time. Specifically, many farmers faced uncertainty regarding their access to their local Farm Service Agency (FSA) office. The FSA supports farms and farming communities through various programs, including disaster relief, conservation programs, commodity price guarantee programs, and loan programs, among many others. Even after the Administration reopened the FSA, many farmers, including those in WI-08, were delayed or prevented from receiving important services due to limited reopenings. While I hope we can prevent future shutdowns, the BARNS Act ensures the FSA is deemed essential — keeping its offices open and its programs running — even if another shutdown occurs.
STARS Act Shines for Veterans
On Veterans Day, I was proud to introduce the Supporting Troops’ Access to Recognition Services (STARS) Act. This bill would require the Department of War to maintain in-person DEERS/RAPIDS IDs processing at least two days per week within 30 miles of a metropolitan area. Defense Enrollment Eligibility Reporting System and Real-time Automated Personnel Identification System (DEERS/RAPIDS) IDs are necessary for veterans and their beneficiaries to access veterans’ benefits, such as VA hospitals. While renewing these IDs online is an option for many in northeast Wisconsin, many people, including disabled veterans, have difficulty accessing these online services. Last year, our area saw the closure of the in-person facility at the Green Bay Naval Reserve Center. Currently, the Appleton facility is set to close once the Wisconsin National Guardsman staffing this facility is reassigned. This would leave the closest in-person DEERS/RAPIDS services in Milwaukee, Madison, or Ishpeming, Michigan. This bill builds upon a series of letters I sent to the Department of War requesting the reopening of the facility in Green Bay. However, the STARS Act would create a permanent solution to this problem by ensuring in-person DEERS/RAPIDS services continue in Northeast Wisconsin.
Actions Speak Louder Than Words
Each year, we take a moment to honor the courage and sacrifice of those who’ve worn our nation’s uniform. But supporting veterans isn’t just about gratitude – it’s about action. I’m committed to advancing policies that ensure veterans receive the benefits, care, and opportunities they’ve earned. As I mentioned above, this week I introduced the STARS Act to protect in-person ID services for veterans and their families – removing the roadblocks between them and the benefits they’ve so rightfully earned. I also proudly cosponsor the Major Richard Star Act, which would allow over 50,000 combat-injured veterans to receive both retirement pay and disability compensation. Currently, when Service members with 20 years of service retire from the military, they are entitled to both retirement and disability compensation if they are injured while in service. This bill would allow veterans who retired before reaching 20 years of service – including those medically retired – to also be eligible. From expanding access to service dogs through the SAVES Act to advocating for long-term care for veterans with traumatic brain injuries in an appropriations request, I’m working to strengthen the full spectrum of support. I promise each and every veteran that you will always have a partner in me in Washington. If you or anyone you know has served our country and is in need of assistance with the VA or any other Federal Agency, please never hesitate to contact my office. Our veterans represent the very best of our nation. As your representative, I will always fight to ensure their service is honored not just in words, but through meaningful action.
District Update
Celebrating Veterans Day throughout Northeast Wisconsin
[see featured photo above] This Veterans Day, I had the privilege to join veterans and community members to honor the service of every United States veteran who has allowed us to live in the greatest and freest country the world has ever known. I started the day by joining Duck Creek VFW Post 7534 for their annual Veterans Day breakfast and then traveled to the Neville Public Museum to join the AMVETS Howard/Suamico Post 57 for their ceremony. I ended the day by joining UW-Green Bay Chancellor Michael Alexander at the 20th Annual Chancellor’s Reception to honor UWGB students, staff, and faculty who are active duty, reserves, veterans, or the spouse or child of a veteran in the United States Military.
Heat Up Your Future at the UA Local 400
A member of my staff recently stopped by the Heat Up Your Future event held at the Plumbers & Steamfitters Local 400 in Kaukauna earlier this week. This event provided high schools from throughout Northeast Wisconsin with the opportunity to participate in a skills competition that showcased pipe stoves for program instructors to judge based on correct dimensions, weld quality, and overall design and creativity. Local high school students were also able to tour the training center, meet with members of the Mechanical Contractors Association, and discuss careers in the trades with field professionals. Thank you to the UA Local 400 for hosting such a great and educational event!
Photo of the Week
We have received so many wonderful pictures since we launched the Photo of the Week section of the Wied Wire, and I would love to see more. This week’s photo is another great snapchat of the fall foliage—this time in Hartman Creek State Park. If you would like to submit a picture to be featured in our Photo of the Week section, please email it to twstaff@mail.house.gov with your name and location.
Out of the blue I received text saying that I owe the Wisconsin
Institute of Plastic Surgery for services they have not explained to me. During the winter of 2025 I was holed up in my apartment in Baileys Harbor
Struggling with ptsd mental crisis and was not making very good decisions.
I may have used the services listed, but I don’t recall what I had told them about billing. I do believe that the VA hospital in Milwaukee was unable to provide the services that were required and I tried to make that known to the those involved.
The situation, unresolved as it was, lay dormant until I received a a bill
Out of the blue. I am getting old and my mental faculties are declining while I live on my disability payments from the VA