This week, Congress delivered on its promise to expose the full truth about Jeffrey Epstein and his criminal network. For the past twenty years, the Epstein case has raised disturbing questions about abuse, secrecy, and power.
It began in Palm Beach in March 2005, when a 14-year-old girl’s report prompted local authorities to investigate Epstein. That report led Palm Beach police to launch a broader investigation, uncovering a pattern of Epstein recruiting dozens of underage girls for abuse. Despite a mountain of evidence involving dozens of young girls, Epstein struck a controversial plea deal in 2007 that allowed him to avoid federal charges – serving just over a year in county jail – but that conviction formally branded him as a registered sex offender.
You would think that label might have driven away the elite circles he ran in. Unfortunately, you would be wrong. Even after being branded a sex offender in 2007, Epstein continued to move in powerful company – donating thousands to Democrat politicians, maintaining close ties with former President Bill Clinton, and appearing alongside figures like Hakeem Jeffries, now House Minority Leader. His calendar still included dinners, fundraisers, and gatherings with financiers, academics, celebrities, and even royalty who chose to overlook his seedy past.
While some records trickled out over the years, the bulk remained sealed until Congress forced the issue earlier this year with the passage of H. Res. 668, which directed the Oversight Committee to dig deeper into the federal government’s handling of the Epstein and Maxwell cases – releasing over 60,000 documents in less than three months.
But let’s be clear: the fact that the Epstein files exist is not a “brand new” discovery. They started with Florida authorities back in 2005, continued when he was arrested by the Trump Justice Department in 2019, and continued after his death with the arrest of his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, in 2020. Democrats held a majority in two out of three chambers – if not all three – from 2021 to 2024. They had every opportunity to act, as we did this week, but chose not to.
For far too long, powerful individuals connected to Epstein avoided scrutiny, shielded by institutional silence. Survivors carried that burden alone, while the public was left in the dark. The good news is that this week, Congress passed the Epstein Files Transparency Act, which ensures the release of all DOJ-held records, investigative files, and court documents. I voted in favor of releasing all the files because survivors deserve closure, the American people deserve answers, and our institutions must prove that no one – no matter how wealthy, well-connected, or politically protected – is above the law.
We hope you enjoy this week’s special edition of the Wied Wire. From our office to your table, we wish you a safe, joyful Thanksgiving filled with gratitude – we’ll be back in two weeks with more!
Click here to watch my remarks on the passage of the Epstein Files Transparency Act.
In the Wieds
Serving Up Sovereignty
Throughout history, nations have built walls to protect their people. From the Great Wall of China shielding against invasions to the walls of Constantinople defending against centuries of siege, walls have always stood as a safeguard of sovereignty and security. The principle is timeless: strong nations build barriers to protect their citizens. However, the Biden-Harris administration took the opposite approach. Rather than enforcing immigration laws or securing our border, they actively worked to dismantle the protections already in place. After President Trump’s first-term progress on the border wall, Biden halted construction, canceled contracts, and auctioned off the materials like scrap. It forced border states to fend for themselves, even as the administration fought back against every attempt to control the chaos they had unleashed. Thankfully, those days are behind us. This summer, we passed the One Big Beautiful Bill, which restarted wall construction, increased manpower for Border Patrol, and closed loopholes being exploited by cartels. And that’s not all – our Homeland Security Appropriations bill provides an additional $1.3 billion dedicated to wall construction and improvements along the border. CBP is putting those resources to work – building a Smart Wall system that combines steel bollards, waterborne barriers, patrol roads, and the technology to give our agents real-time awareness and control. These measures are about more than concrete and steel – they are about restoring law and order, protecting American families, and ensuring our agents have the tools they need to defend our nation. Click here to follow CBP’s progress.
Giving Thanks for Tom Mahoney’s Legacy
As the representative and a lifelong resident of Northeast Wisconsin, I was honored to recognize former WFRV Local 5 Chief Meteorologist Tom Mahoney for his lifetime of dedication and service to our communities during a speech on the House Floor. Tom’s legacy will live on in the memories of those he guided through countless storms and sunny days.
Gourd Times in the Great Outdoors
As the crisp November air settles over Wisconsin’s woods, hunters are getting ready to lace up their boots and put on blaze orange for one of the state’s most cherished traditions: the gun deer season opener. Beginning November 22 and through November 30, families and friends throughout the state will gather in cabins and tree stands, carrying on a legacy that stretches back generations. This year, more than 137,000 hunters have registered, ready to track whitetails through forests covered in the last leaves of fall. The Department of Natural Resources is reminding everyone to keep safety front and center – from wearing blaze orange to registering your harvested deer by 5 p.m. the day after recovery. And don’t forget – habitat-based Deer Management Units in the Northern Forest Zone add a new twist to the season this year, while the Deer Donation Program, Hunt for the Hungry, offers hunters a chance to share their bounty with food pantries across the state.
Stuffed With Savings
For families gathering around the table this Thanksgiving, there’s good news – the cost of a traditional holiday meal is down. This week the American Farm Bureau Federation released its 40th annual survey showing that preparing a classic dinner for ten – turkey, stuffing, pumpkin pie, rolls, cranberries, and more – averages $55.18, which is down 5% from last year. The biggest driver of savings is the turkey. A 16-pound frozen bird now averages $21.50, or $1.34 per pound, down a whopping 16% compared to last year. Grocery stores are offering deep discounts to draw shoppers back to turkey, helping bring overall costs down. While some side dishes like sweet potatoes haven’t come down yet, staples such as stuffing mix, cranberries, and dinner rolls also saw price drops. The result is a meal that’s more affordable than last year and significantly below the record high cost of $64.05 in 2022. So, as you gather with loved ones, in addition to being thankful for family and friends, you can also be thankful for a Thanksgiving dinner that’s a little easier on the wallet.
Legislative Update
Beefing Up Transparency
When you walk into the grocery store, you deserve to know where your food comes from. For years, Americans had that ability – until Washington stripped away mandatory country-of-origin labeling for beef after pressure from international trade groups. That decision left families in the dark and put honest American farmers and ranchers at a disadvantage. By removing that requirement, it created a situation where foreign beef shipped into the U.S. from foreign countries is minimally processed or packaged here and then labeled “Product of the USA.” That’s not just misleading, it’s downright dishonest. Families think they’re buying American beef, but in reality, they may be supporting foreign suppliers while U.S. producers lose out. That’s why I signed on as a cosponsor of the Country-of-Origin Labeling Enforcement (COOL) Act, led by Rep. Harriet Hageman (R-WY). This bipartisan bill restores mandatory labeling for beef, ensuring that when a package says, “Made in the USA,” it truly is. No more misleading claims. No more foreign beef disguised as American. The COOL Act strengthens enforcement by prohibiting retailers from falsely designating foreign beef as U.S.-made and imposing penalties for violations. It’s about transparency, fairness, and trust – giving consumers the information they need to support American producers and make informed choices for their families. By reinstating mandatory COOL, we’re standing up for American agriculture and ensuring that “Made in America” means exactly what it says.
Cutting Red Tape – Carving Real Results
[see featured photo above] On Tuesday, my bill, H.R. 4305, the DUMP Red Tape Act, successfully passed out of the Small Business Committee. This bill will codify the Red Tape Hotline at the Small Business Administration (SBA). Created earlier this year, the hotline provides small businesses a direct line of communication to the SBA’s Office of Advocacy to discuss bureaucratic red tape that is harming their businesses. Also included in this bill is a requirement for the SBA to report to Congress on the most harmful regulations and what steps the SBA has taken to advocate on behalf of small businesses. While I had hoped that every member of the Small Business Committee would vote in favor of giving small businesses a voice in our ongoing deregulatory efforts, unfortunately, only three of my Democrat colleagues voted in support of this important piece of legislation. I remain committed to supporting small businesses, and I look forward to continuing my advocacy for this important piece of legislation. You can read the full text of my bill here.
District Update
Packed with Appreciation
I recently had the opportunity to visit Reynolds Packaging in Green Bay. Reynolds Packaging is an impressive small business that manufacturers products that range from compostable food packaging to child safety packaging. It was great to meet with Lisa and Kelly Reynolds and members of their team to learn more about the company’s continued growth and innovation over the past 20 years and discuss how I can be helpful to them in Congress. Thank you to Lisa and Kelly and the entire Reynolds Packaging team for hosting me!
Harvesting Knowledge, Illuminating Community
A member of my staff attended the 2nd Annual Oneida Reads Summit earlier this week to learn about the state of third grade reading proficiency among Native students and the organization’s focus on kindergarten readiness, school attendance, and reading instruction. My team also attended the Light the Bridgeway event at the Duck Creek Bridge and enjoyed Christmas caroling from the Oneida singers and refreshments from Oneida veterans.
Laying Bricks of Gratitude
This week, while I was in Washington, my staff also attended the groundbreaking ceremony at the NEW Community Shelter in Green Bay for their $14 million supportive housing project that will add 41 units and is expected to be completed in ten months. Residents of the NEW Community Shelter will have access to case management, life skill training, and mental health support while navigating the transition. Thank you to all of the team members at the NEW Community Shelter for your dedication and commitment to serving the community.
Holiday Helpings
In Green Bay, several community groups are making sure no one goes without a Thanksgiving meal. Families and individuals in need can find free holiday dinners at local churches and shelters, with both dine-in and delivery options available. These programs ensure that anyone in the Green Bay area who needs a warm meal can find it – whether by gathering at a table in the community or receiving a meal at home. Green Bay First: On Sunday, Nov. 23, all are welcome to enjoy a free Thanksgiving meal after the morning church service at 10:45 am. Attendance at the service is optional — the meal is open to everyone. New Community Shelter: On Thanksgiving Day, Thursday, Nov. 27, walk-in meals will be served for lunch (11:30 am–12:30 pm) and dinner (4–5 pm).
Photo of the Week
This week’s Photo of the Week captures the heart of harvest season – a beautiful barn surrounded by fall foliage. As we gather around our tables this Thanksgiving, it’s a reminder to thank the farmers whose hard work fills those tables with abundance. From golden fields to colorful leaves, their dedication shapes the landscapes we love and the meals we share. Since launching the Photo of the Week section, we’ve received so many unbe leaf able submissions – and we’d love to keep the momentum going. If you’d like to see your picture featured in an upcoming edition, email it to twstaff@mail.house.gov with your name and location.
