When it comes to your taxpayer dollars, any amount of fraud is too much. Northeast Wisconsin families work hard for their money, and it is my duty as your representative to ensure that every single taxpayer dollar is used efficiently.
When it was reported that Newcap – an organization based in Green Bay that receives federal grants – has allegedly misused tax dollars for the personal gain of executives and employees, I knew I had to take action.
That is why this week, Rep. Bryan Steil (WI-01) and I wrote a letter to the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) requesting a full and thorough investigation into these allegations.
Newcap is a nonprofit organization whose mission is “to move people from poverty to opportunities and economic security, while enhancing community development.” However, in both 2023 and 2024, Newcap reported a $2 million deficit, despite receiving nearly $11 million from the federal government and nearly $3 million from the state.
This deficit does not appear to have occurred by accident. Rather, it seems to be driven by abnormally high salaries for executives, including nearly $240,000 in annual compensation for the Chief Executive Officer – more than double her salary in 2018 – as well as the misuse of grant funds to purchase first-class plane tickets and “team-building activities” that included high-end dinners and cooking classes, among other expenses.
These allegations are deeply serious and cannot be allowed to continue. Over the last year, President Trump and House Republicans have made it a priority to eliminate waste, fraud, and abuse in federal programs, and we will not rest until it is eliminated once and for all.
Federal, state, and local governments – and any entity that receives their funding – have an obligation to be good stewards of taxpayer dollars. Whether it’s a federal agency or a nonprofit organization, abuse and misuse of funds will not be tolerated.
While it has now been announced that Newcap will close its operations in June, I continue to urge HUD to conduct a thorough investigation and ensure that those who misused funds for personal gain will be held accountable. As always, I will keep you updated as we learn more.
Thanks again for starting off your weekend with us! We hope you enjoy this week’s edition of the Wied Wire.
In the Wieds
Election Integrity Can’t Wait
Time and time again, Democrats have put partisan politics over the well-being and best interests of Americans. This Tuesday, the Senate voted to bring the SAVE America Act to the floor for debate, despite Senator Baldwin and every other Senate Democrat voting against the measure. The SAVE America Act, which passed the House in February, would require proof of citizenship and voter ID to ensure that only U.S. citizens can vote in Federal elections. This should not be controversial, given that 84% of Americans support common-sense voter ID laws. The SAVE America Act safeguards the voice of Wisconsin’s 8th District and ensures that only U.S. citizens can have an impact on our democratic process. It wasn’t too long ago when voter ID was something both Republicans and Democrats could agree on. Democrats may have changed their tune, but the need to safeguard our elections remains. With debate on the bill expected in the coming days and weeks, I urge Senate Democrats to put aside their political theater and deliver the election integrity the American people deserve.
Protecting American Roads: Dalilah’s Law Advances
On Wednesday, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure passed Dalilah’s Law, which ensures that all commercial driver’s license holders are in the country legally and able to fulfill English language proficiency (ELP) requirements. The bill is named in honor of Dalilah Coleman, a 5-year-old girl who was struck and severely injured by an illegal alien driving a semi-truck. Dalilah and her parents were at President Trump’s State of the Union address last month, where the President called for Congress to pass such a law to block illegal and unqualified immigrants from obtaining a CDL in the United States. In September, a nationwide audit by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) found widespread non-compliance among state driver licensing agencies and a troubling series of fatal crashes caused by nondomiciled CDL holders. This bill is common sense. If you cannot understand English, you cannot read road signs or communicate with law enforcement, and you should not be driving a commercial vehicle. I was proud to be a cosponsor of this legislation and hope it will be brought to the floor for a full House vote.
No More SNAP Secrets
This week, I was proud to join my good friend and colleague on the House Agriculture Committee, Rep. Dave Taylor (OH-02), in introducing the SNAP Fraud Reporting Act. This bill would require states to submit to the United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) any data on SNAP Fraud that occurred in their state in the past 5 years. It would also require states to provide this data annually moving forward. This bill ensures that American taxpayer dollars are spent efficiently and that SNAP benefits go to those most vulnerable. While most states have shown transparency and provided the data, Governor Tony Evers has continued to shield this information from taxpayers. This is unacceptable, and this bill would require him to finally provide the transparency that Wisconsinites deserve.
District Update
Backing the Blue: Shawano County Sheriff
I recently stopped by the Shawano County Sheriff’s Department and spoke with Sheriff George Lenzner. It’s always great to connect with our great law enforcement leaders here in the 8th district and to hear about the selfless work that they do for all of us every day. I want to thank Sheriff Lenzner and the entire Shawano County Sheriff’s Department for their service and for keeping our communities safe. The men and women in law enforcement will always have a partner in me.
Say Cheese: Tour of Foremost Farms USA
[see featured photo above] Foremost Farms USA is one of the largest dairy cooperatives in the country and I had the opportunity to tour their plant in Appleton. In the 8th Congressional District, 40 farms supply milk to the plant that is used to produce over 140 million pounds of cheese per year, and it was great to meet with team members to learn more about the cheese making process. As a member of the Agriculture Committee and representing the Congressional District that produces the most cheese, I appreciated the opportunity to witness such an impressive operation firsthand. Thank you to the Foremost Farms team for having me and for your hard work!
Two Weeks Away: 2026 Congressional Art Competition
Reminder: My office is accepting entries for the 2026 Congressional Art Competition. All high school students who attend school or reside in the 8th Congressional District are invited to participate. The required forms and competition rules can be found on my website. All signed documents and artwork must be delivered to my District Office by 5:00pm on Tuesday, April 7th, 2026. If you have any questions, please contact my District Office at 920-301-4500.
Constituent Services Spotlight
Providing the best constituent services to people of Wisconsin’s 8th Congressional District is a top priority for me. From Veterans Affairs (VA) to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS), my staff and I are here to help! To request assistance with a Federal Agency, you can contact my District Office at 920-301-4500 or submit a message through my website here.
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 continue seeing more. This week’s photo is of the sunset over an icy Green Bay. If you would like to submit a picture to be featured in an upcoming Photo of the Week, please email it to twstaff@mail.house.gov with your name and location. We look forward to highlighting more of your photos that celebrate the places and moments that make Wisconsin special.
